Course Information

The aims of this programme are:

• To provide an academic postgraduate course enabling practising orthoptists and other eye care professionals to further their academic knowledge and clinical skills.

• To advance the skills of independent learning and reflective practice required for continuing professional development and advanced practice.

• To advance the critical evaluation skills and encourage their application to all areas of clinical practice and education in paediatric patient care.

• To give the qualified practitioner advanced knowledge of clinical practice and leadership for paediatric ophthalmology patients and to increase awareness of the role that research can play in strengthening the knowledge base of this subject area.

• To provide an advanced understanding of the holistic approach to investigating, diagnosing and managing paediatric ophthalmology patients, using evidenced based practice and person centred care.

Learning objectives

On completion of this programme the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Advanced practice in the area of paediatric ophthalmology, by enhancing knowledge and developing a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding paediatric care.

• The effective application of clinical leadership and implementation of clinical change in delivering optimal paediatric care.

• The issues surrounding effective clinical management of paediatric patients, integrating theoretical and scientific concepts in relation to paediatric vision care.

• Effectively diagnose and manage a broad range of paediatric eye disease, synthesising relevant research findings regarding their causes and management.

• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to select diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for autonomous and effective paediatric care in ophthalmology.

Skills and other attributes

On successful completion students will be able to:

• Discuss in depth, current theories and practises relating to paediatric vision care, with reference to clinical practice and recent literature.

• Discuss the management of paediatric ophthalmology patients, appreciating the multidisciplinary and holistic approach to service provision, and so enabling advanced paediatric clinical practice.

• Utilise advanced communication skills to relate sensitively to patients and their parents and carers, including those with complex needs and facilitate advanced support where necessary.

• Critically evaluate the current literature for a key area of paediatric care and apply this effectively and efficiently to service provision.

• Reflect on current practice and suggest new changes to service provision to deliver effective, efficient and optimum care to paediatric patients.

Year 1

Module 1 (OPH61001) Paediatrics ACP (60 credits) - core foundation module to be studied by all students

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Year 2

Core module:

Clinical leadership & education in Ophthalmology (30 credits) (Autumn semester)

Option to study one module from the following list:

ORT 6002 Insight into Disease

ORT6022 Low Vision 

ORT6033 Exemptions 

ORT 6100 Research Methods - ***please note we strongly advise taking this module, if planning on completing the ORT6005 Research Project as a clinical, empirical research project***

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Year 3

Research Project (ORT 6005) (60 credits) 

This research project may be completed as either a clinical, empirical piece of research, or as a literature based dissertation.  If you are planning a clinical, empirical piece of research, then you will need to draw on your learning from ORT6100 Research Methods.  For this approach, your work will involve planning and executing a research project which may include; ethical considerations and an ethical approval application, data acquisition and statistical analysis, followed by interpretation of results relevant to your hypotheses or research question.  For the literature based dissertation you will instead focus on defining a robust and examinable research question, which can be investigated through a systematic review process and which will question or effect a change to some aspect of current clinical practice.  For both approaches, you will have the opportunity to present your projects to each other mid-way through the year in January and will have, at completion, a written up report of either your empirical research or a literature based dissertation, that you can be proud of.  We have provided you with a handbook specific to the research project which can be accessed here: https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/ort6005-handbook-23-24/home 

Module approach

Each module consists of a number of units on different topics; within each unit are detailed notes, self-assessment exercises, tasks and appropriate references. Consider each unit as the equivalent of a lecture/seminar on the topic area. The time you spend on each will vary considerably depending upon prior levels of knowledge and any extra reading you may wish to do. Thirty credit modules should take, on average, 300 hours of work.  Sixty credit modules should take an average of 600 hours or work.

We recommend that you approach each unit in the following way: 

• Read through the introductory section of each unit and familiarise yourself with the aims and objectives

• Work through the written unit, reading articles and completing selfassessment exercises and tasks, usually in the order that they are presented 

• If you are having difficulty with the unit or have any specific questions, contact your module or programme leader (details of these can be found on the ‘ACP in paediatric ophthalmology’ organisation) 

• Carry out any additional reading and make any further notes required for any assignments 

• Allow plenty of time to complete the module assignments. Never leave them until the last minute 

As you progress through the units, you will build up a portfolio of your own work, developing both your knowledge and understanding of the subjects and your critical appraisal skills. Details of the assessments are given, together with deadlines for submission, on Blackboard. 

Below, you will find a flowchart of your module progression and choice of 2nd year, semester 2 module, as you journey through the programme.

Delivering the course by blended learning allows students from wide and varied areas of the UK and beyond to study with us.  Blended learning is our description of the mixture we provide between online and independent study, work-based learning and online live lectures.   There are both advantages and disadvantages of studying in this manner. The advantages include:  

• the time and place you choose to complete the academic or theoretical portion of your work is up to you  

• you can set your own pace of work and work through units flexibly, depending on your clinical timetable both within your own clinics and in the wider paediatric ophthalmology clinics that you are required to attend as part of your course (within course deadlines)  

• you can continue with your professional career whilst studying  

• we strongly recommend that your employer supports you in gaining access to other clinical settings and in shadowing Ophthalmologists and other advanced clinical practitioners during the course, but the way that you arrange this is flexible  - please see local mentor handbook and coursebook section on supervision

• you do not need to spend long period of time travelling to Sheffield

The challenges to blended learning include:  

• you may feel isolated studying alone  

• you may find it difficult to study in your home environment  

• you may find it hard to motivate yourself to study  

• the large element of flexibility means you may find it difficult to plan your time and there is a lot of work to fit in every year equating to 600 hours of study between the unit course work, work-based learning and assessments

The following suggestions may help you to study more effectively:  

• decide upon a time and place to do your studying where you won’t be disturbed

• try to incorporate your study time to become part of your regular routine  

• make the place you study a comfortable and pleasant place to be  

• make use of contacts with fellow students made at residential/virtual learning weekends  

• discuss your work with colleagues and friends.  Proof reading is OK, but remember assignments must be your own work  

• be realistic about the amount of studying you can do at any one time  

• try to be organised and effective in planning your time and your studying  

• accept that your social life may suffer!  

• Create a Whatsapp group for the members of your course on which you can share the ups and downs or ask questions of each other 

The paediatrics foundational module, the first module of the new MMedSCi ACP Ophthalmology (paediatrics) programme has been specifically developed for experienced eye-care practitioners who want to advance their ophthalmic practice skills and reach high levels of innovative and evidenced based practice in paediatric ophthalmology.  You will need the support of a local ophthalmologist colleague to complete the exercises included in the unit work of this module and you should have already submitted your confirmation of local mentor support form.  This module aims to enhance your independent learning and inspire you to pioneer new or improved paediatric services. 

The module content has been developed by the centres around the UK who already capture specific areas of advanced practice in paediatric ophthalmology and we are very thankful to those who have taken the time to share their skills, experience and expertise with us.  This module will facilitate you to develop comprehensive and advanced knowledge and skills in diagnosing and managing paediatric patients, with the aim of relieving some of the clinical burden falling on Ophthalmologists.  Within this module you will begin to consider possible patient-led improvements and consider how you will work as an advanced clinical practitioner in Paediatric Ophthalmology in the future.

Units

This module consists of 22 units which can be found in the menu on the left of this page. Each unit has been specifically prepared for this course and consists of:

• A short overview detailing the aims and objectives of the unit

• Introduction

• Main body of text

• Exercises which must be completed and synthesised to create your practice portfolio (see assessments section for further detail)

• Summary

• Suggestions for further reading

• References

• Glossary of terms (where appropriate)

The unit titles are as follows and 20 of these must be completed in entirety to fulfil the practice portfolio assessment which is the final assessment piece of the module.  Five of the units are optional, meaning you must complete the ones underlined and "opt out" of two of the units based on your own choice, mentor and manager input and your service needs.

Unit titles

1. Introduction to the role of the ACP in paediatric Ophthalmology

2. Examination techniques

3. Communicating with VI children 

4. Cerebral Vision Impairment

5. Intergrating Healthcare and Education for VI children

6. Blepharitis & BKC

7. Allergic conjunctivitis & VKC

8. Chalazia

9. Epiphora & nasolacrimal duct obstruction

10. Eye Casualty

11. Retinoscopy in a hospital setting

12. Retinal imaging

13. Inherited retinal disease

14. Optic disc screening

15. JIA associated uveitis

16. Surgical listing & consent

17. Dry eye in children

18. Contact lenses

19. Electrophysiology

20. Paediatric glaucomas

21. Safeguarding:  child abuse and the eye

22. Continued professional development

Full programme specifications can be found under the course code OPHT01 at: http://www.shef.ac.uk/calendar/progspec/med 

The University has a policy on attendance monitoring for all home and international students. As distance learners your engagement with the programme will be monitored at certain points of the year, rather than attendance in person. 

If a module is failed (overall module mark of <50) the student will have the opportunity to resubmit a piece of work to try to obtain a pass. You do not have to pass each assignment, however, the practice portfolio must be passed and you must also receive a satisfactory report from your local mentor in all aspects of the curriculum as part of this.

For all modules, a reasonable attempt for all assignments must be submitted.

There are two other assessments which occur in other modules which  must be passed individually and these are: the Low Vision (ORT6022) practical written assessment and the Exemptions (ORT6033) MCQ (which require 80% correct answers to pass).  Resits are possible for both of these assessments. 

If a resubmission is required for a written assignment, a new assignment title may be given. If a pass is not achieved at the resubmission, the student will have to leave the course. Information about appeals can be found at: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/ http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/procedures 

Each module begins with an introductory learning session where you can participate in online live learning and teaching and workshops and get to know the other students taking this module.  Throughout the course we will provide online tutorials every 4-6 weeks towards the end of the clinical day on aspects of paediatric ophthalmology or advanced clinical practice that we think you will find beneficial.  You can check your OPH61001 Paediatric ophthalmology course on Blackboard for details of when these are.

Clinical Leadership will begin with an Introductory day either in September and depending on whether you then choose to study Exemptions,  Research Methods, Low Vision or Insight to Disease in the subsequent spring, you will need to attend the relevant introductory session for this module.  Dates and times for these will be given to you well in advance.

The online introductory sessions and periodic tutorials are integral parts of all of our modules and the programme as a whole. Attendance at these teaching points is a course requirement and we hope that you will benefit academically and socially from the contact with fellow students and the course team. If you have to miss one of these in exceptional circumstances, everything will be recorded and you can catch up as soon as possible this way.

See here & search for programme OPHT05

Information available from the University Information section of the Health Sciences School Student Handbook

All units within modules and introductory days will be evaluated internally by the Division of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics.  All end of modules will be evaluated by the University's TellUS system.  

Your feedback and comments are very important to us as they let us know what is going well in each module/ programme and if there are things that should be changed. In this way we can ensure that we continue to offer a high quality programme. We will inform you of how we address any issues that are raised through these. We also ask you to complete an evaluation form after each learning weekend 

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) (alternate years only) – this is a national survey which takes place at the end of the programme to find out the opinions of postgraduate taught students on a range of academic issues relating to their courses. The results of the survey are used by the University to consider whether any improvements are needed to their courses. 

The programme has its own online eLearning environment called Blackboard and can be accessed on the web via MUSE (My University of Sheffield Environment) accessed from the The University of Sheffield homepage (www.shef.ac.uk).

From the University homepage click the ‘Log in to MUSE’ link in the top left corner.  Use your University credentials to sign in.  Now click on ‘My services’ at the top of the page and a menu opens.  Click ‘View all services’ at the bottom of this menu and then click on ‘M’.  Now click on ‘Blackboard’ and you’ll be taken to your homepage from which you can access the ‘Vision and Strabismus’ organisation, where resources relevant to all courses are held.  You can also access ‘Courses’ where resources relevant to particular courses are held.  You can also access the University’s digital learning support resources from here.

We hope that you will find Blackboard easy to use but should you experience any difficulties or notice anything that you think is incorrect please contact our adminstrative team on orthoptics@sheffield.ac.uk, or module lead (list of leads and their contact details are available on the 'ACP paediatric ophthalmology' organisation on Blackboard, or programme lead Dr Charlotte Codina (c.codina@sheffield.ac.uk).

Your University PC account will remain open until the Saturday following your graduation.  If you wish to keep your University email please see the following page https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/students/account-closure

My University of Sheffield Environment (MUSE) is the best way to access most central University resources and communications, including your email.  MUSE can be accessed from any computer that has an internet connection and an up to date web browser.  You will need your University username and password to log in from the University’s homepage.  The following link will give you guidelines on how to use MUSE: http://www.shef.ac.uk/muse

Some software is available free or at discounted prices for students. Please see http://www.shef.ac.uk/it-services/software for what is available.

Information available from the Health Sciences School Student Handbook 

Further information about University Information is available from the Health Sciences School Student Handbook