Ocular Disease III
Instructor of Record: Patricia Modica
BVS-353SA
4.5 Credits
This course is the third in a series of three courses detailing the pathogenesis, physiologic response, clinical manifestations, treatment and rehabilitation of conditions of the body and eye in response to local and systemic pathologic and developmental processes and disorders. Emphasis is on the conditions of the neuro-ophthalmic and neurologic systems, including psychiatric conditions and acquired brain injury. It also integrates additional medical topics that include cardiac disease, endocrinology. Material is presented in a fashion that includes integration of ocular and systemic medical concepts as well as medical, surgical and rehabilitative management concepts. Epidemiological data is included to allow students to differentiate between high-probability and/or high-risk conditions and low probability and/or low risk conditions. Previous course work in neuro-anatomy, physiology, pathology, epidemiology, pharmacology and systemic medicine will provide the student with the foundation for understanding the principles and practices covered in this course.
Low Vision
Instructor of Record: Rebecca Marinoff/Richard Soden
CEX-249SA
1.0 Credits
As the population continues to age, optometrists will be confronted with a greater need to manage their visually impaired patients with low vision rehabilitation. This course will overview the evaluation, management and treatment options for individuals who are visually impaired and legally blind. After obtaining an appropriate case history, students will learn how to perform a series of functional tests to evaluate the visual capabilities of the patient. Ultimately the student will be able to prescribe the appropriate optical and non-optical devices for their patients, as well as appropriately refer for additional services. In addition, students will learn what low vision rehabilitation encompasses. This course will also cover the psycho-social aspects that patients with low vision may experience as well as the community resources available to visually impaired individuals. It is expected that after completing this course, students will be able to apply the knowledge they receive by performing low vision examinations in clinical settings.
Optometric Clinic III
Instructor of Record: Julia Appel
CEC-343SA
3.0 Credits
This course is a continuation of Optometric Clinic I and II. The third year clinical program provides the intern with a broad exposure to all facets of primary care optometry. Rotations are in the areas of primary care and in various specialty clinics. During these rotations, interns have patient-care responsibilities under the supervision of clinical faculty. The rotations are designed to allow the intern increasing levels of clinical responsibility and patient care opportunities.
Public Health
Instructor of Record: Mort Soroka
CEP-310SA
2.5 Credits
This course introduces the student to major health policy issues and examines the role of government in the health care system. Much of government policy relates to the payment systems of Medicare and Medicaid and regulation. Health care reform legislation impacts on all financing programs; private and governmental. New organizational structures such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACO’s) and health care exchanges,will impact on the delivery and quality of care. The course introduces basic principles (such as supplyand demand and quality assurance) in health care economics. The economics of health care markets and provider payment systems, especially managed care and third party programs and vision plans are covered. Of special emphasis is the role of optometry in the Medicare and Medicaid program and managed care and coding in third party programs. This course prepares optometry students to analyze and debate health care policy issues. Sessions are designed to help students understand how politics, economics, professional, social and ethical values contribute to health policy development and implementation. Specific policy issues reviewed include interprofessional relations, licensure, board certification, professional standards, cost containment, equity and access to care, quality improvement electronic medical records, complementary and alternative medicine, managed care systems, health care law, workforce and health care ethics. The course also addresses health law, health care reform, quality assurance, professional standards, clinical practice guidelines and regulation, disease management strategies, health disparities and health literacy and emerging legislative efforts and initiatives within health care. The history of research ethics, medical research oversight, institutional review boards, privacy and HIPAA are also discussed.
Optometric Practice in a Changing Health Care Environment (B) (Conclusion)
Instructor of Record: Richard Soden
CEP-320SA
2.5 Credits
This is the second and concluding, part of Optometric Practice in a Changing Health Care Environment. Rapid changes in health care and in optometric practice make it essential that graduating students be well- versed in optometry’s role in the public health system. The increased scope of optometric practice has made the Doctor of Optometry a significant part of the overall health care team. As a result, students will need to understand their own interests, goals and values so they will end up in a career path that is attractive to them. This course will be taught in two parts and will provide each student with the knowledge, skills and background required for the development of a career plan. Students will become familiar with the various modes of practice available to optometrists. Key elements of health care reform, the role of optometry in the public health system and as a member of an interprofessional team, will be highlighted along with discussions of essential non-clinical factors (e.g. Medicare, coding and billing, etc.) that each graduate will be required to know regardless of their chosen career path. A key goal of this course is to encourage students to explore the various opportunities available to them within the profession of optometry and to prepare them for that path.
Integrative Seminar VII
Instructor of Record: Julia Appel
CEI-3SA
0.0 Credit
The emphasis of Integrative Seminar is on developing the ability to think critically and obtaining the skills necessary for independent, life-long learning. Daily chart review and end of day case discussion foster clinical reasoning ability. Over the year, interns will submit clinical case analyses and professional writing samples to the IOR to assess written communication ability and competence of clinical thinking. There will be informal class discussions tackling the use of clinical reasoning in topics of patient care.