Clinical Presentation, Investigation and Management of Diseases of the Visual System

Details

Title

Clinical Presentation, Investigation and Management of Diseases of the Visual System

Type

Stage One

Module code

HPS225

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge with respect to the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of visual system disease in collaboration with more senior clinical scientists and the clinician(s) responsible for the overall care of the patient. They will be able to perform a range of technical and clinical skills in a range of settings, including laboratory, ward based and community, and demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a Consultant Clinical Scientist. These topics will have been covered in the STP programme, but in the first two years of the HSST programme, scientific and clinical knowledge will be consolidated and expanded and clinical physiology skills developed.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will analyse, synthesise, critically evaluate and apply their knowledge with respect to clinical presentation, investigation, diagnosis and management of diseases of the visual system, including:

• diabetic retinopathy
• age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• glaucoma
• optic neuropathy and other intracranial disorders
• traumatic disorders (to include siderosis)
• acquired degenerative disorders
• inherited degenerative disorders
• stationary inherited disorders
• inflammatory disorders
• auto-immune disorders.
• neoplastic and para-neoplastic disorders
• toxic disorders
• vascular disorders
• amblyopia
• cortical visual impairment.
• diseases of the cornea and anterior segment
• sensory nystagmus, including that associated with albinism, cone dysfunction, or congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) or optic nerve hypoplasiaamblyopia
• unexplained low vision

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will demonstrate a critical understanding of current research and its application to the clinical presentation and management of visual system disorders. They will present accurate, clear and concise documentation of patient data, including appropriate interpretation.

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically reflect and apply in practice an appropriate range of clinical and communication skills to and will:

• take a relevant focused history (see advanced history taking and clinical examination Stage 1(iv));
• perform the appropriate investigations, taking into account special circumstances, contraindications, confounding factors and risks; for example epilepsy or corneal opacity when performing retinal electrophysiology;
• explain results and clinical management plans simply and effectively to both clinicians and, where appropriate, patients;
• advise and communicate effectively with patients, relevant clinicians, patients and the public and other healthcare professionals working within the multidisciplinary team.