RESIDENCY IN PRIMARY EYE CARE

AT

OCHSNER CLINIC, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Affiliated with

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

MEMPHIS TENNESSEE

PROGRAM MISSION

The Residency Program in Primary Eye Care at Ochsner Medical Center provides qualified optometrists with advanced clinical education in the diagnosis and management of eye and vision problems encountered in a primary care practice, encompassing all aspects of optometric care including practice management.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOAL 1: Strengthen the resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of visual disorders and ocular disease.

Objective 1	The resident will complete a minimum of 2000 patient encounters with patients presenting with vision disorders and ocular disease. The demographics include children, adults and geriatric patients.
Outcome	The resident will develop advanced expertise in management of patients with visual disorders, retinal disease, glaucoma, anterior segment disease and neuro-ophthalmic disease.
Measure	The resident will report monthly on the number and type of patient encounters using the patient encounter log and summary forms.
Objective 2:	The resident will perform the proper 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 diagnoses for each patient.
Outcome:	The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency program progresses.
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 diagnoses.
Outcome:	The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient in order to best address the patient’s needs.
Measure:	The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the resident’s management skills.

GOAL 2: Enhance the resident’s basic examination skills.

Objective:	The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency in the provision of optometric services.
Outcome:	The resident will perform a minimum of 1000 examinations that include a case history, measurement of visual acuity, refractive status verification, tonometry, and assessment of external and internal ocular health during a single encounter
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

GOAL 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

Objective 1:	The residency will develop experience in performing and interpreting ophthalmic ultrasonography
Outcome:	The resident will perform ophthalmic ultrasonography (A and B-scans) and interpret the results.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Objective 2:	The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting ophthalmic fluorescein angiography.
Outcome:	The resident will perform ophthalmic fluorescein angiography and interpret the results.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Objective 3:	The resident will develop expertise in performing fundus photography
Outcome:	The resident will perform fundus photography on at least 100 patients.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets

Objective 4:	The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HAT)
Outcome:	The resident will perform and interpret scanning laser polarimetry on at least 50 patients and perform and implement HAT on 50 patients
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Objective 5:	The resident will develop expertise in ordering and interpreting relevant medical laboratory procedures and ophthalmic laboratory fabrication.
Outcome:	The resident will order laboratory procedures on at least 30 patients.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Objective 6:	The resident will develop expertise in performing and implementing corneal topography.
Outcome:	The resident will perform corneal topography and interpret the results on at least 50 patients
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets

GOAL 4: Expand the resident’s knowledge in the care of refractive patients. .

Objective 1:	The residency will develop experience in evaluating patients for advanced refractive care including contact lens care, low vision services and refractive surgery.
Outcome:	The resident will provide advanced refractive care to a minimum of 500 patients.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary forms.

GOAL 5: Increase the resident’s knowledge of systemic disease and their treatment.

Objective 1:	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 providers in management of patients with systemic disease. The resident will attend bimonthly Ochsner Ophthalmology Grand Rounds on systemic disease.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters and participation in conferences of this type using the patient logs and summary sheets.

GOAL 6: Develop the resident’s skill in presenting topics to fellow professionals.

Objective 1:	The resident will acquire and practice skills needed to effectively present information to other professionals in group settings.
Outcome:	The resident will present at least one lecture per year at Southern College of Optometry, one grand rounds at Ochsner Clinic and when possible present posters or lectures in other settings such as the American Academy of Optometry and SECO.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on these types of activities using the residency activity summary.

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.
Outcome:	The resident will prepare a publication-quality manuscript on an approved topic.
Measure:	The resident will complete the manuscript by May 1.

GOAL 8: To provide the resident with the opportunity to become an effective clinical educator.

Objective 1:	The resident will supervise optometry student clinicians in provision services to patients, and provide quarterly lectures to optometry students.
Outcome:	The resident will mentor and oversee optometric externs during the final nine months of the residency.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly the number of patient encounters of this type on the monthly patient encounter logs and activity summary.

Goal 9: The resident will acquire a practical understanding of patient coding, billing, and practice management in a primary eye care clinical setting.

Objective 1:	The resident will become familiar with the encounter/billing forms, and clinical chart recording requirements for proper billing.
Outcome:	The resident will log accurate diagnosis ICD codes, as well as appropriate office visit billing codes on the patient billing form.
Measure:	The results of regular review of the resident’s billing/encounter forms by the Supervisor or attending doctor at Ochsner Medical Center will be reflected in the quarterly resident evaluations.

CURRICULUM

The educational objectives of the curriculum are intended to ensure attainment of the mission, goals, and objectives of the program. Consequently, each educational objective reflects a specific program goal. Specifically:

PROGRAM GOAL 1
Objective:	The resident will develop a high degree of proficiency in optometric services to patients with vision disorders and ocular disease.
Learning Activity:	The resident will provide optometric services involving a minimum of 2000 patient encounters to patients with vision and ocular disease.
Outcome:	The resident will develop advanced skills in the management of patients with vision disorders and ocular disease.

PROGRAM GOAL 2
Objective:	The resident‘s basic examination skills will be enhanced.
Learning Activity:	The resident will perform a case history, measurement of visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, and assessment of external and internal ocular health during a single patient encounter a minimum of 1000 times.
Outcome:	The resident will become highly efficient in the performance of basic ocular examination techniques.

PROGRAM GOAL 3
Objective:	The resident will utilize a wide variety of diagnostic procedures and instrumentation while caring for patients.
Learning Activity:	The resident will perform and/or interpret ophthalmic ultrasonography, ophthalmic fluorescein angiography, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, Heidelberg retinal tomography, relevant medical laboratory procedures and ophthalmic laboratory fabrication and corneal topography.
Outcome:	The resident will develop advanced knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

PROGRAM GOAL 4
Objective:	The resident will provide care to a large number of patients interested in contact lenses, low vision aids and refractive surgery.
Learning Activity:	The resident will evaluate and counsel patients interested in contact lenses, low vision aids and refractive surgery including follow up / post-operative care.
Outcome:	The resident will become experienced in providing advanced refractive care.

PROGRAM GOAL 5
Objective:	The resident will become familiar with the management of systemic diseases commonly associated with ocular disease.
Learning Activity:	The resident will consult with patients’ physicians when appropriate to coordinate the management of related ocular and systemic conditions. The resident will attend bimonthly Ochsner Medical Center Ophthalmology Grand Rounds.
Outcome:	The resident will be able to communicate effectively with physicians in the co-management of patients who have systemic disease that impacts their ocular health.

PROGRAM GOAL 6
Objective:	The resident will develop and present original presentations to other health care professionals.
Learning Activity:	The resident will present at least one lecture per year at SCO and one at Ochsner Medical Center Ophthalmology Grand Rounds and when possible will present posters or lectures in other settings such as the American Academy of Optometry and SECO.
Outcome:	The resident will develop skills in providing effective presentations to health care professionals.

PROGRAM GOAL 7
Objective:	The resident will engage in scholarly activity.
Learning Activity:	The resident will prepare a publication-quality manuscript on an approved topic that will be reviewed and critiqued by the supervisor
Outcome:	The resident will develop an appreciation for scholarly activity and its importance to the profession.

PROGRAM GOAL 8
Objective:	The resident will supervise optometry student externs in the provision of patient care.
Learning Activity:	The resident will mentor and oversee the optometry students during the final nine months of the residency and present quarterly lectures to optometry externs.
Outcome:	The resident will develop skills in providing effective clinical education.

PROGRAM GOAL 9
Objective:	The resident will be responsible for recording the proper assessment and management plan and indicating the correct diagnostic and procedural codes for each patient.
Learning Activity:	The resident will record essential findings and supporting assessments and management plans for each patient encounter in the clinical record and appropriate forms.
Outcome:	The resident will gain a thorough understanding of proper coding.

Clinical Rotations

The Resident will gain clinical experience in the Ochsner Medical Center Main Campus and in external clinics affiliated with Ochsner. The resident will meet on a weekly basis with the residency supervisor for discussion of current cases. The exact schedule for these rotations will be determined by the program supervisor.

DIDACTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE RESIDENT

Ochsner Medical Center Ophthalmology Grand Rounds presentations, typically emphasizing ocular disease, are presented bimonthly. The resident will participate in the Southern College of Optometry Residents’ Day, during which all residents in programs affiliated with the College present clinical presentations to faculty, practitioners, and other residents. The resident will be involved in occasional student supervision if teaching is deemed a career goal.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A. All applicants must complete and return application forms by January 15. Supporting documents 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 Louisiana license and furnish official transcripts when available. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain a Louisiana optometry license

E. Three letters of recommendation are required.

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

G. A personal interview will be 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.

STIPEND AND BENEFITS

The residency program is fifty two weeks in length from August 1 to July 31. The stipend is $32,400.00. The resident will have the opportunity to purchase health insurance at a nominal cost through Southern College of Optometry’s group plan. Professional liability insurance is provided by Ochsner Medical Center. A continuing education allowance of $500 is also provided by Ochsner Medical Center. Also, Ochsner will provide clinic coats and a digital pager/phone.

LEAVE POLICY

One week of educational leave, one week of sick leave, one week of vacation leave are available with prior approval of the Supervisor and the SCO Director of Residency Programs. Additional educational leave may be allowed at the discretion of the above individuals.

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

The resident is required to write a paper based upon original research, literature review, or a clinical case suitable for publication in a refereed optometric journal. This paper is expected to be completed prior to May 1.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

The resident may be allowed to provide patient care services outside of the Ochsner Medical Center system on a limited basis only with advance written permission by Ochsner Medical Center residency supervisor.

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY

A. The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level which is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor of Ochsner Medical Center, the Residency Committee, Director of Residency Programs, and the SCO administration. The office is open from 8:00 A.M. until patient care is completed, usually around 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. On call services are required after one month of training.

B. The resident will be required to keep a record of patient contacts. Cases will be reviewed periodically by the Residency Supervisor or Ochsner Medical Center, the Director of Residency Programs, and the Southern College of Optometry Residency Committee when appropriate.

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

4. The resident will be expected to perform in a professional manner in the delivery of patient care services and to observe those proprieties of conduct and courtesies that are consistent with the rules and regulations governing Ochsner Medical Center.
5. The resident will be expected to assist in the continuing education programs provided at Ochsner Medical Center.

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

G. Upon successful completion of the Residency Program, the Residency Supervisor and the Director of Residency Programs will recommend the granting of certification to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

H. Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infractions of the rules and regulations of Southern College of Optometry, or for any action that jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel, or physical facilities.

ACCREDITATION

The residency program in Primary Care Optometry at Ochsner Medical Center is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63142, (314) 991-4100

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Upon evidence of satisfactory performance in meeting all requirements of the program, the resident will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

REPORTING STATUS

The resident reports to the Supervisor of the residency program. The Supervisor reports directly to the SCO Director of Residency Programs who 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 of Residencies

Southern College of Optometry

1245 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN  38104

Office: (901) 722-3201

Fax: (901) 722-3325

email: cervin@sco.edu