RESIDENCY IN REFRACTIVE AND OCULAR SURGERY / OCULAR DISEASE

 

WOOLFSON EYE INSTITUTE (WEI)

 

affiliated with

 

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

 

Memphis, Tennessee

 

 

PROGRAM MISSION

 

The Residency Program in Refractive and Ocular Surgery/Ocular Disease at Woolfson Eye Institute provides graduate optometrists with advanced competency in eye care in the areas of co-management of refractive surgery, ocular surgery, and ocular disease through education and patient care.

 

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal 1: Expand the resident�s knowledge in the evaluation and management of refractive surgery patients.

 

Objective 1:

The resident will develop expertise in the selection, evaluation, and management of patients who desire refractive surgery with emphasis on providing pre- and post-operative (including complications) refractive surgical care.

Outcome:

The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 20 refractive surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 20 refractive surgery patients.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 2:

The resident will perform the appropriate diagnostic pre-operative procedures.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently select and successfully perform the proper diagnostic pre-operative procedures for each patient.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine if the appropriate level of technical and cognitive ability is being exhibited.

 

Objective 3:

The resident will determine the correct diagnosis for each patient.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency program progresses. The degree of independence from direct supervision will increase with progressive quarters. In the first quarter close supervision by the supervisor and attending physicians will be required. By the third quarter the resident should be capable of operating independently.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident�s diagnostic ability.

 

Objective 4:

The resident will determine the best refractive surgical management based on the diagnosis.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient according to the patient�s needs.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident�s ability to devise an appropriate management plan for each patient.

 

 

 

Goal 2: Expand the resident�s knowledge in the evaluation and management of cataract surgery patients.

 

Objective 1:

The resident will develop expertise in the selection, evaluation, and management of patients who require cataract surgery with emphasis on providing pre- and post-operative (including emergency) cataract surgical care.

Outcome:

The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 50 cataract surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 50 cataract surgery patients.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 2:

The resident will perform the appropriate diagnostic pre-operative procedures.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently select and successfully perform the proper diagnostic pre-operative procedures for each patient.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine if the appropriate level of technical and cognitive ability is being exhibited.

 

Objective 3:

The resident will determine the correct diagnosis for each patient.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency program progresses. The degree of independence from direct supervision will increase with progressive quarters. In the first quarter close supervision by the supervisor and attending physicians will be required. By the third quarter the resident should be capable of operating independently.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident�s diagnostic ability.

 

Objective 4:

The resident will determine the best cataract surgical management based on the diagnosis.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient according to the patients needs.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident�s ability to devise an appropriate management plan for each patient.

 

 

Goal 3: Strengthen the resident�s expertise in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease.

 

Objective 1:

The resident will develop advanced expertise in the management of patients with anterior segment disease, glaucoma, retinal disease, and other types of ocular disease.

Outcome:

The resident will complete a minimum of 20 patient encounters with patients presenting with ocular disease.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number and type of patient encounters utilizing the activity log.

 

Objective 2:

The resident will perform the appropriate diagnostic procedures.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently select and successfully perform the proper diagnostic procedures for each patient.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine if the appropriate level of technical and cognitive ability is being exhibited.

 

Objective 3:

The resident will determine the correct diagnosis for each patient.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency program progresses. The degree of independence from direct supervision will increase with progressive quarters. In the first quarter close supervision by the supervisor and attending physicians will be required. By the third quarter the resident should be capable of operating independently.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident�s diagnostic ability.

 

Objective 4:

The resident will determine the best management based on the diagnosis.

Outcome:

The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient according to the patients needs.

Measure:

The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident�s ability to devise an appropriate management plan for each patient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal 4: Expand the resident�s knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

 

Objective 1:

The resident will develop expertise in understanding the indications for performing and in the interpretation of corneal topography.

Outcome:

The resident will perform and interpret corneal topography for 50 patients.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of procedures of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 2:

The resident will develop expertise in understanding the indications for performing and in the interpretation of aberrometry.

Outcome:

The resident will perform and interpret aberrometry for 50 patients.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of procedures of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 3:

The resident will develop expertise in understanding the indications for performing and in the interpretation of pachymetry.

Outcome:

The resident will perform and interpret pachymetry for 50 patients.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of procedures of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 4:

The resident will develop expertise in understanding the indications for performing and in the interpretation of visual fields.

Outcome:

The resident will perform and interpret visual fields on a variety of instruments for 20 patients.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 5:

The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting refractometry.

Outcome:

The resident will perform a minimum of 100 refractometry procedures and interpret their results.

Measure:

The resident will document procedures of this type using the activity log.

 

Objective 6:

The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting ophthalmic GDx and/or OCT.

Outcome:

The resident will perform a minimum of 20 GDx and/or OCT procedures and interpret their results.

Measure:

The resident will document patient encounters of this type using the activity log.

 

 

 

Goal 5: Increase the resident�s knowledge of systemic diseases and their treatment.

Objective:

The resident will acquire additional knowledge of systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with significant ocular manifestations.

Outcome:

The resident will participate with non-optometric physicians in the management of at least 50 patients with systemic disease.

Measure:

The resident will report on the number of patient encounters and participation in conferences of this type using the activity log.

 

Goal 6: Develop the resident�s skill in presenting topics to fellow professionals.

Objective:

The resident will acquire and practice skills needed to effectively present information to other professional�s in-group settings.

Outcome:

The resident will present at least two 30 minute lectures per 1-year residency.

Measure:

The resident will report on these types of activities using the activity log.

 

Goal 7: Instill in the resident an appreciation of the importance of scholarly activity.

 

Objective 1:

Educate the resident in the preparation of a professional manuscript suitable for publication in a refereed journal.

Outcome:

The resident will submit a manuscript for publication on an approved topic.

Measure:

The resident will complete the manuscript by the designated

completion date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRICULUM

 

PROGRAM GOAL 1

Objective       The resident will develop expertise in the selection, evaluation, and management of patients who desire refractive surgery and provide pre- and post-operative (including complications) refractive surgical care.

Learning

Activity            The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 20 refractive surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 20 refractive surgery patients at Woolfson Eye Institute.

Outcome       The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of refractive surgery patient through the experience gained by providing care for a large number and variety of refractive surgery patients.

 

PROGRAM GOAL 2

Objective       The resident will develop an advanced competency in the management of cataract surgery patients.

Learning

Activity            The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 50 cataract surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 50 cataract surgery patients at Woolfson Eye Institute.

Outcome       The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of cataract surgery patient through the experience gained by providing care for a large number and variety of cataract surgery patients.

 

PROGRAM GOAL 3

Objective       The resident will develop an advanced competency in the clinical care of patients with ocular disease.

Learning

Activity            The resident will provide optometric services to a minimum of 20 patients with ocular disease at Woolfson Eye Institute.

Outcome       The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of patients with ocular disease because of the complexity and variety of patient encounters.

 

PROGRAM GOAL 4

Objective       The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the use of specialized ocular diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

Learning

Activity            The resident will utilize corneal topography, aberrometry, pachymetry, visual fields, refractometry, and GDx/OCT in the care of patients.

Outcome       The resident will be able to utilize advanced diagnostic procedures for maximum benefit in the care of patients with ocular disease and/or candidates for refractive and cataract surgery.

 

 

PROGRAM GOAL 5

Objective       The resident will develop an advanced knowledge in the care of patients with systemic disease, particularly those with ocular manifestations.

Learning

Activity            The resident will provide optometric services to patients with systemic disease at Woolfson Eye Institute. The resident will consult with other physicians when indicated for the care of these patients.

Outcome       The resident will become comfortable communicating with other health care providers when consulting for the care of optometric patients with systemic disease.

 

 

 

PROGRAM GOAL 6

 

Objective       The resident will develop effective presentation skills in communicating with fellow professionals.

Learning

Activity            The resident will present two 30 minute lectures.

Outcome       The resident will become comfortable and effective at communicating scientific information to groups of health care providers.  The resident will report activities of this in the activity log.

 

PROGRAM GOAL 7

 

Objective       The resident�s writing and research skills will be enhanced.

 

Learning

Activity            The resident will prepare a publication quality manuscript.

Outcome       The resident will complete a publication quality manuscript prior to the end of the residency and will meet benchmark deadlines throughout the year.

 

Program Goal 8

 

Objective       The curriculum will didactic activities.

 

Learning

Activity           A list of quarterly didactic expectations will be published on the program�s
                    academic calendar.

Outcome         The resident will report these activities in the activity log.

 

 

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

 

A.    All applicants must complete and return the Southern College of Optometry application forms by January 15. Supporting documents as required by Southern College of Optometry should be submitted to the Director of Residency Programs of Southern College of Optometry no later than January 31. This program uses the Optometric Residency Matching Service. Applicants must complete the ORMS application and forward it to the ORMS as directed in the application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all supporting documentation is submitted to each entity involved, e.g., the College, ORMS, and the residency site, if required.

 

B.    Applicant must have earned an O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation from a school/college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

 

C.   Applicant will furnish an official transcript from his/her school/college of optometry. An applicant should have a cumulative grade point average greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the professional optometric curriculum.

 

D.   Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations required for a Georgia license and furnish official transcripts. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain a Georgia optometry license.

 

E.    Three letters of recommendation are required.

 

F.    A brief essay stating the reasons for applying to this program.

 

G.   A personal interview is required.

 

H.   Southern College of Optometry affirms that all residency candidates will be evaluated without regard to sex, race, color, creed, national origin or disabilities.

 

CONTRACT

 

All applicants selected for admission must sign a standard resident contract.

This document represents a true and accurate representation of the terms between the resident and Woolfson Eye Institute. The binding contract reflects this statement together with the amount of the stipend for the length of the residency. 

 

 

 

LENGTH OF RESIDENCY

 

Each residency will be twelve months in length, commencing on July 1 and ending the following June 30.

 

STATUS OF THE RESIDENT

 

A.    The resident is defined as an employee of Woolfson Eye Institute (WEI) and the residency will be paid for by WEI. No tuition or fees are applicable.

 

B.    The resident should arrange to take the examinations required by the Georgia board for licensure prior to or during the residency period. Until licensure is obtained, the resident will work under one of the licensed attending optometric or medical physicians. Should the resident fail to pass the Georgia board, dismissal from the residency program will be at the option of the Southern College of Optometry residency committee to recommend, in consultation with the residency supervisor at WEI. 

 

C.   The resident will be provided with professional liability insurance by the professional liability insurance program of WEI. The cost of this insurance coverage will be paid by WEI. This insurance will cover only activities associated with the residency and WEI.  It is understood that upon separation from WEI all insurance benefits provided by WEI would cease and it will be the resident�s responsibility to provide his or her own insurance.

 

D.   The resident will be offered medical insurance as part the plan provided to WEI employees.

 

E.    The resident will be credentialed according to the policies of WEI.

 

F.    The residents� privileges will be determined according to the policies of WEI.

 

 

ON CALL POLICY FOR WOOLFSON EYE INSTITUTE RESIDENTS

 

Residents at Woolfson Eye Institute are expected to rotate with other doctors in the practice in taking call for pathology and refractive patients.  The doctors involved in refractive surgery will rotate for LASIK one day post-ops that fall on Saturday, with the resident included in that rotation.  For pathology patients, all doctors in the practice rotate weekly by taking one week of evening and weekend call-the resident will be included in pathology call, as well.

The on-call resident will provide the appropriate level of service indicated for the urgent or emergency patient.  Many calls will be handled simply via phone; some may require an after-hours office visit; some may require that the resident obtain assistance from one of the surgeons in the group, e.g. in case in which hospital privileges are required.

The resident�s independent responsibilities for �on call� status will begin 30 days after initially beginning the program, but only if he/she is licensed in the state of Georgia at that time.   Prior to obtaining a license and/or during the first 30 days of the residency , the resident may be asked to take call as a staff member whose responsibilities include patient triage via phone as a preliminary step to obtaining assistance for the patient via on-call doctor.

Residents will be provided a company cell phone, and may use that or opt to use a personal phone for on-call purposes.  The resident should also be prepared to be the back-up doctor on-call, as well as provide substitute coverage for doctors who are on vacation or otherwise unavailable.

 

 

RESIDENT�S EXPECTED WORK WEEK

 

Locations:  Resident�s at Woolfson Eye Institute will be considered staff doctors.  As such, a resident will be provided a �home office� location in one of our centers, but will provide optometric care in all 4 of our Georgia locations:  Sandy Springs, Cumming, Lawrenceville and Stockbridge, all of which provide both Referral Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery.  Occasionally, residents will be called upon to participate in �Consult Days� at local OD offices.

 

Travel reimbursement for providing services at offices other than the designated �home office� (currently Sandy Springs) is currently $0.34 per mile and is subject to change in the future.

 

Hours:  Most office hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Doctors generally are expected to arrive at the time the first patient is scheduled, and expected to remain on premises until the last patient leaves.  Most days will include a 30-60 minute break from patient care for lunch.  Saturday hours will not be routinely required, but being �on call�, which is rotated among the staff ODs and MDs, may create Saturday hours.  Also, the resident will be expected to rotate with the refractive surgery ODs and MDs approximately every 4th week, and will also be expected to substitute for ODs and/or MDs for both �on call� hours and Saturday post-ops.  Within this framework, most weeks will include 40 hours, but occasionally as many as 50 hours.  The time in Referral Ophthalmology Clinic will be approximately equal to the time in Refractive Surgery Clinic.

 

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY

 

A.    The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor of WEI as well as the Director of Residency Programs, and the administration of SCO. The resident�s schedule on a typical week may be as follows (this is an example only):

 

Monday: Full clinic in refractive surgery center with preceptor, Tom Spetalnick, OD. Typical patients include those seeking refractive surgery and those suffering from ocular complications (acute and chronic) of refractive surgery.  Initial comprehensive examination includes topography, pachymetry, and refraction on all exams, as well as follow-up visits. Typical load: 30-40 patients/day.

Tuesday: Full clinic with corneal referral ophthalmologist, Milan Patel, MD.  Patients include those seeking consultations for refractive surgery and those referred to center for corneal or other ocular pathology.  Typical load: 30-40 patients/day.

Wednesday: Full clinic with cataract and IOL specialist, Andy Shatz, MD.  Typical patients will include cataract and elective IOL candidates and IOL post-ops, as well as IOL complications.

Thursday: Full clinic with Retinal/Glaucoma referral ophthalmologist, Brian Salmenson, MD.  Typical patients include diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, and other retinal pathology, as well as initial and follow-up glaucoma cases.  Typical load: 30-40 patients/day.

Friday:  Full clinic with Jonathan Woolfson, MD for laser refractive surgery.  Typical patients will be those scheduled for LASIK or PRK procedures.  Typical load:  20-30 patients/day.

 

B.     The resident will be required to keep a record of patient contacts. The Residency Supervisor and the Residency Committee at SCO as well as the Director of the Residency Programs at SCO will periodically review patient contacts.

C.   The resident will be required to write a paper based on original research, literature review or a clinical case for publication in an acceptable professional journal.

D.   The resident will be expected to assist in the continuing education programs provided at WEI.

E.    The resident will be expected to perform in a professional manner in the delivery of professional care services and to observe the proprieties of conduct and courtesies that are consistent with the rules and regulations governing WEI.

F.    The resident will be required to participate in and complete the requirements set forth in the curriculum.

G.   The Residency Supervisor and the Director of the Residency Program will recommend the granting of certification to the resident through the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry upon successful completion of the Residency Program at WEI.

H.   Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed by WEI, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infraction of the rules and regulations of Woolfson Eye Institute or those set forth by Southern College of Optometry, or for any action that jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel, or physical facilities.

 

 

 

STIPEND AND BENEFITS

Stipend: A residency stipend of $35,000 will be provided for the 52 weeks of training paid by WEI. Health insurance according to the group policy benefits as an employee of WEI will be provided. Travel expenses to one meeting will be provided if the resident is presenting a paper or poster.

LEAVE BENEFITS

Leave benefits include time off for major holidays plus ten days (80 hours) over the 52 week period of the residency program. All leave is subject to approval of the program supervisor.

 

 

 

ACCREDITATION

The residency program at Woolfson Eye Institute was granted accreditation by the Council on Optometric Education, 243 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, and (314) 991-4100 during the first year of the program�s existence.

 

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Upon satisfying all the requirements for completion of the Supervisor of the Residency Program and the Director of the Residency Programs, a Certificate of Completion will be awarded to the resident by Southern College of Optometry.

 

REPORTING STATUS     

The resident will report to the Supervisor of the residency program. The Supervisor reports directly to SCO Director of Residency Programs whom in turn reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.

 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Cheryl E. Ervin, O.D.

 Director, Residency Programs

Southern College of Optometry

1245 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104

(901) 722-3201

Email: cervin@sco.edu