Residency IN Cornea
& Contact Lens – Refractive Surgery
AT
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
AND
EYE SPECIALTY GROUP
PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the Cornea
& Contact Lens – Refractive Surgery Residency is to produce highly
trained postdoctoral clinicians, researchers and educators skilled in advanced
contact lens procedures and refractive surgery patient management. Resident
will divide time between campus-based patient care and referral center
experiences, instruction and research. The applicant completes requirements for
residency certification with a capstone project.
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Develop residentŐs fundamental
knowledge in the disciplines of corneal function, advanced contact lens care
and care of the refractive surgery patient.
Objective 1: The resident will build on their basic
understanding of corneal physiology in health and disease states.
Outcome: The resident will perform
a literature review in the areas of oxygen demand / utilization, corneal
dystrophies, degenerations, dysgenesis, corneal wound healing, microbial
keratitis and inflammatory disease.
Measure: The supervisor will
report quarterly on the residentŐs command of the body of knowledge of the
aforementioned areas using the online evaluation system.
Objective 2: The resident will build on their basic
understanding of contact lens designs and application to specific advanced
fitting scenarios.
Outcome: The resident will demonstrate
clinically applicable knowledge of manufacturer fitting guides, the indications
for product use and nuances between products.
Measure: The residentŐs
patient charts will be reviewed weekly with the supervisor to ensure successful
management of patient needs. The
supervisor will report on the residentŐs knowledge base using the online
evaluation system.
Objective 3: The resident will expand their fundamental
knowledge of refractive surgery techniques.
Outcome: The resident will
appropriately screen and determine the correct refractive surgery procedure(s)
for a minimum of 100 patients.
Measure: The resident will be
evaluated quarterly by the Program Supervisor using the online evaluation
system in order to ascertain the knowledge level and decision making ability of
the resident in this capacity.
Goal 2: Elevate the residentŐs clinical skills
to an advanced level in the areas of cornea, contact lens and refractive
surgery.
Objective 1: The resident will gain exposure to a variety of
infectious, inflammatory and traumatic corneal insults.
Outcome: The resident will perform
clinical rounds with a supervising OD/MD and assist in the management 50
patients.
Measure: The resident will
report on the number of patient encounters of these types using the activity
log. The log will be regularly
reviewed by the program supervisor to ensure ideal exposure to a variety of
corneal insults is occurring and that proper management strategies are being employed
by the resident.
Objective 2: The resident will perform 50 contact lens fittings
of a cosmetic and/or advanced nature.
Outcome: The resident will
correctly select and apply specific soft and gas permeable contact lens designs
to patients with high refractive errors +8.00 DS, high corneal toricity
>3.00D, irregular toricity (major meridians are not 90 degrees apart),
post-operative patients and various disease states, including but not limited
to LASIK/epi-LASIK/PRK/RK/PK/DASEK/Keratoconus/Bandage lens/Leaking bleb
tamponade after Trabeculectomy.
Measure: The residentŐs activity log
will be reviewed regularly by the supervisor ensuring successful management of these
advanced fits through the appropriate application of manufacturer fitting
guides.
Objective 3: The resident will participate in the
management of 40 refractive surgery encounters.
Outcome: The resident will be able
to successfully perform preoperative work-ups, observe the intraoperative
procedures and perform postoperative care including co-management of
complications.
Measure: The resident will
report on the number, nature and outcomes of these surgical encounters
utilizing the activity log.
Goal 3: Develop the residentŐs critical
thinking skills, investigative capacity and ability to transmit the knowledge
gained through clinical research.
Objective
1: The resident
will deepen their understanding of research design.
Outcome:
Resident
will acquire skills necessary to participate in sponsored clinical
studies and / or independent research.
Measure: The resident will
complete a capstone project and report the
results in the form of a publishable quality manuscript. In addition a poster presented at a
national optometry meeting such as AOA, AAO or SECO and a didactic presentation
to a group of ODŐs and/or MDŐs based upon this project are encouraged.
CURRICULUM
Program
Goal 1
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, pachymetry, and aberrometry
in
the care of patients. Special
emphasis will be placed on the performance techniques
and on developing skills in analysis of the test results.
Outcome: The
resident will be able to utilize advanced diagnostic procedures for maximum
benefit in the care of patients with corneal disease.
Program
Goal 2
Objective: The
resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the pre-
operative
and post-operative care of refractive surgery patients.
Learning
Activity: The resident will
provide pre- and post-operative evaluation, counseling, and care to patients
who are considering or have undergone refractive surgery.
Outcome: The resident will be able
to provide state-of-the art care for patients in all
phases
of pre- and post-operative refractive surgical status.
Program
Goal 3
Objective: The
resident will develop effective presentation skills in communicating
with
fellow professionals.
Learning
Activity: The
resident will make presentations to fellow residents during the weekly
resident
conferences held at Southern College of Optometry. The resident will provide a continuing education lecture on
an approved topic at Southern College of OptometryŐs annual ResidentŐs Day. The resident will be encouraged to
submit an abstract and if accepted present a poster at a national optometric
meeting such as AOA, AAO,SECO.
Outcome: The resident will become
comfortable and effective at communicating scientific information to groups of
health care providers.
Program Goal 4
Objective: The residentŐs writing and
research skills will be enhanced.
Learning
Activity: The
resident will prepare a publication quality manuscript and participate
in
clinical research conducted at Southern College of Optometry and/or
Eye
Specialty Group.
Outcome: The
resident will complete a publication quality manuscript prior to the
end
of the residency.
Program
Goal 5
Objective: The resident will develop
an advanced degree of proficiency in the clinical
care
of patient with contact lenses, corneal disease and refractive surgery.
Learning
Activity: The
resident will provide optometric services to a minimum of 1500
contact
lens, corneal disease, and/or refractive surgery patients at Southern
College
of Optometry and/or the offices of Eye Specialty Group.
Outcome: The
resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency because of
the
complexity and variety of patient encounters.
DUTIES
Resident performs
direct patient care in specific areas of advanced contact lens techniques,
corneal rehabilitation and refractive surgery management.
á Approximately 20 hours per week on
campus in the Cornea & Contact Lens Service in direct patient care
á Approximately 10 hours per week direct
patient pre-op and post-op care of refractive surgery patients including surgical
observation of specific techniques which may include PRK, LASIK, Epi-LASIK,
DASEK, IOL implantations, INTACS, CK
á Approximately 10 hours per week in
research towards completion of the capstone project
The resident must
make one or more didactic presentation(s) to a professional group that may
consist of OD, MD and/or residents on a subject(s) approved by their supervisor. The resident will give a presentation
on a topic approved by the supervisor during ResidentŐs Day at Southern College
of Optometry.
Resident maintains an
online Activity Log on each encounter detailing the nature of the patient encounter
or educational activity, which is reviewed by the Director of Residencies and
the Program Supervisor. A statement summarizing the knowledge gained from each
encounter is required at the supervisor level.
Residency
expectations include participation in an after hour Ňon-callÓ rotation to
handle emergencies in the related services in consultation with other licensed
providers and independent but subject to review by preceptor.
LENGTH
OF RESIDENCY
Each
residency is one calendar year in length, commencing July first.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A.
All applicants must complete and return the Southern College
of Optometry application forms by January 15. Applicant must forward supporting
documents 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 submission of all supporting documentation 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, furnish
official transcripts when available
and satisfy all requirements for licensure in Tennessee. If accepted, the resident must obtain
full license to practice optometry in Tennessee including injections, orals and
glaucoma.
E.
Three letters of recommendation are required.
F.
Applicants must submit a brief essay stating reasons for
applying to this program.
G.
A personal interview is required.
H.
Southern College of Optometry affirms that all residency applicants
are 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 one calendar year in length from July 1 to June 30. The stipend is $36,000 which will be paid on a bi-monthly basis. The resident will also have the opportunity to purchase health insurance at a nominal cost. Professional liability insurance and a $500 travel stipend are provided by the College. Also included in the benefit package are clinic coats, 10 days academic leave, 10 personal days and 18 days vacation leave, as outlined in the paragraph below.
LEAVE POLICY
Eighteen days of vacation leave are provided to the resident. These days are those on which The Eye Center at Southern College of Optometry is normally closed: July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday following, ten working days at Christmas and New Year’s, Martin Luther King Day, two days during the Spring Break, and Memorial Day. Provision of these vacation days is automatic and does not require approval or submission of a leave request form. The resident may be required to provide on call services during some of these days. Ten days of educational leave are provided. These days are intended to allow the resident to attend professional meetings. Ten days of personal leave are provided. The resident must submit a standard leave request form in advance to request educational and personal leave. This form should be completed by the resident and submitted to the supervisor. The supervisor will then approve or disapprove the request. If the request is approved by the supervisor the leave request form is forwarded to the Director of Residency Programs, who is responsible for tracking the resident’s leave balance. If the resident has a leave balance sufficient to cover the request, the DRP will approve the request and forward the appropriate copies of the form to the resident and the supervisor. The resident and supervisor are responsible for notifying the appropriate Chiefs of Service and the Director of Clinical Operations of the days that the resident will not be available to provide clinical services.
The resident should understand
that on-call duties may be concurrent with some expected leave days. Residents should plan and consult with
the director of the on-call service to avoid conflicts.
ON-CALL SERVICE POLICY
The
On-Call schedule for the academic year shall consist of equitable weeks of
service for each in-house resident at Southern College of Optometry. ŇOn-CallÓ shall be defined as the
period of time for which the resident is responsible for responding to urgent/emergent
after-hours calls and those calls which may come during regular business hours
of The Eye Center at Southern College of Optometry when TEC/SCO is closed for
breaks and holidays. An annually
updated On-Call Manual will be supplied by TEC Chief of Staff to all residents
at the onset of the program and can also be found in an electronic version at http://www.sco.edu/residency/SCOCorneaContactLensRefractiveSurgery/Documents/TEC_EOCS_Manual.pdf.
At this time no on-call responsibilities are mandated for the ESG
portion of this program.
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY / CAPSTONE PROJECT
The capstone project
consists of original research in a relevant area leading to a paper suitable
for publication in a refereed journal. Research projects may include original
research consisting of a pilot study, clinical study, basic science study or
case report series related to corneal physiology, contact lens design, fitting,
care or complications, refractive surgery patient selection, procedures,
outcomes analysis, complications or co-management.
Capstone project
selection requires the approval of the Supervisor no later than 6 to 8 weeks
into training. Experimental designs must be accepted no later than 1 month
after the approval. Regular progress reports submitted to the supervisor
ensures timely completion of milestones and ultimate completion.
CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY
A. The resident is required to deliver
clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor,
the Residency Committee, Director of Residency Programs, and the SCO
administration. The resident receives
a specific schedule each quarter. Resident
schedule includes approximately 40 hours per week assigned in accordance with
those outlined in DUTIES. Resident takes after hours, on-call
assignments on a periodic basis.
B. The resident will be required to keep a
record of patient contacts. The
Supervisor of the Residency Program, the Director of Residency Programs, and
the Residency Committee when appropriate will review cases periodically.
C. The resident will be required to write a
paper based on original research and a thorough literature review, or a
clinical case series for publication in an acceptable professional journal.
D. Resident must perform in a professional
manner while engaged in the delivery of patient care services. Professional
conduct, proprieties and courtesies must be consistent with the rules and
regulations governing the Southern College of Optometry.
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 may be
dismissed, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infractions of
the rules and regulations of Southern College of Optometry, for failure to meet
the requirements set forth in the Residency Handbook and program description,
or for any action, that jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel, or
physical facilities.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Other
employment (moonlighting) activities are at the discretion of the residency
supervisor. Moonlighting, if
permitted, may not interfere with any part of the residency, including on-call
assignments. The professional
liability protection provided by the College does NOT cover moonlighting activities.
ACCREDITATION
The
Cornea & Contact Lens-Refractive Surgery Residency program at Southern
College of Optometry and Eye Specialty Group is accredited by
the Accreditation Council for Optometric Education of the American Optometric
Association, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63142, (314) 991-4100
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Resident
receives a Certificate of upon evidence of satisfactory performance in meeting
all requirements of the program.
REPORTING STATUS
The
resident reports to the Supervisor of the residency program. The Supervisor reports directly to the
SCO Director of Residency Programs, who reports directly to the Vice President
for Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cheryl Ervin, O.D.
Director,
Residency Programs
Southern
College of Optometry
1245
Madison Avenue
Memphis,
TN 38104
(901)
722-3201