Applied Psychology for Optometrists

At the end of the OPT 519 (Applied Psychology for Optometrists) course, the students should be able to: 1. explain the need for a basic understanding of psychology and collaboration with experts in this field; 2. discuss how vision challenges could predispose patients to some social and psychological conditions; 3. describe basic signs and symptoms of psychopathology (such as; anxiety/phobia, depression, PTSD, stigma, cognitive dissonance and many others.) that could interact or mediate with the treatment outcomes in the optometric clinical setting; 4. utilise psychological knowledge to detect psychopathology in an optometric patient/setting and therefore, use this basic knowledge to help them or make a referral when necessary, using collaborative skills; 5. demonstrate basic techniques of clinician-client relationships such as; respect for patient opinion, right of patients, and boundaries of both clinician and patients in the treatment process; and 6. develop skills that could guide optometric clinicians on how to reduce patients’ fear, pain, and non-adherence to treatment; and be able to communicate effectively with patients to optimise the patient-clinician relationship, breaking bad news appropriately, patient care, and the maintenance of the psychological well-being of patients, and their loved ones during the optometric treatment process.

Introduction to clinical psychology. Role of behavioural sciences in optometric practice; clinician- patient relationship. Psychopathology; identification and management, crisis intervention. Clinician- patient communication. Suggestion and hypnosis.