RESIDENCY IN OCULAR DISEASE

EYE CENTERS OF FLORIDA

affiliated with

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

Memphis, Tennessee

PROGRAM MISSION

The Residency Program in Ocular Disease at Eye Centers of Florida provides graduate optometrists with advanced clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease utilizing state-of-the-art techniques and instrumentation with special emphasis on the middle-aged and geriatric population.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal 1: 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, vitreo-retinal and retinal disease, and neuro-ophthalmic disorders.
Outcome:	The resident will complete a minimum of 2000 patient encounters with patients presenting with ocular disease.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number and type of patient encounters utilizing the patient encounter log and summary forms.

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 and attending physicians 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 both the supervisor and the attending physician 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 in consultation with other attending physicians.

Goal 2: Expand the resident’s knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

Objective 1:	The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting ophthalmic ultrasonography and OCT.
Outcome:	The resident will perform a minimum of 15 ophthalmic ultrasound and/or OCT procedures and interpret their results.
Measure:	The resident will submit monthly reports to the supervisor of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Objective 2:	The resident will develop expertise in interpreting ophthalmic fluorescein angiography.
Outcome:	The resident will interpret a minimum of 30 ophthalmic fluorescein angiography procedures performed at Eye Centers of Florida under direct supervision of a retinal surgeon.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of fluorescein angiography analyses performed using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Objective 3:	The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting fundus photography with standard fundus photography and the Optos1 system.
Outcome:	The resident will perform a minimum of 30 standard and 30 Optos photographs with interpretation.
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 ordering and interpreting relevant laboratory procedures.
Outcome:	The resident will order laboratory procedures on a significant number of patients.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using patient encounter logs and summary sheets.

Goal 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge in the evaluation and management of plastics and refractive surgery patients.

Objective:	The resident will develop expertise in the selection and evaluation of patients who desire either plastics or refractive surgery and provide pre- and post-operative plastics and refractive surgical care.
Outcome:	The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 100 patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 100 patients.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter log and summary forms.

Goal 4: 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 patients with systemic disease. The resident will participate in relevant presentations and conferences 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 encounter log and summary sheets.

Goal 5: 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 one lecture per quarter during the regular professional staff meeting. In addition the resident will present one grand rounds to the professional group and submit one poster for SECO at its annual meeting with the intent of presenting data.
Measure:	The resident will report monthly on these types of activities using the activity summary.

Goal 6: 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.
Objective 2:	Familiarize the resident with the design, implementation, and analysis of clinical research projects.
Outcome:	The resident will participate in data collection and analyses of data for research projects ongoing at Eye Centers of Florida.
Measure:	The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine if the appropriate level of progress in scholarly activities is being achieved.

Goal 7: The resident will acquire a practical understanding of patient coding, billing, and practice management in a co-management clinical setting.

Objective:	The resident will become familiar with the encounter/billing forms, and clinical chart recording requirements for proper billing.
Outcome:	The resident will log accurate diagnostic ICD-9 codes, as well as CPT office visit billing codes on the patient billing form and will attend one COPE approved lecture per year related to this subject. The resident will also spend time working the certified coders at Eye Centers of Florida
Measure:	The resident’s billing will be reviewed by our internal staff in the normal course of billing audit and the results reported to the resident and the resident supervision on a quarterly basis at Eye Centers of Florida.

CURRICULUM

PROGRAM GOAL 1

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

Learning

Activity The resident will provide optometric services to a minimum of 2000 patients with ocular disease at Eye Centers of Florida.

Outcome The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency because of the complexity and variety of patient encounters.

PROGRAM GOAL 2

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 B-scan ultrasonography, fundus photography, and fundus fluorescein angiography in the care of patients. Special emphasis will be placed on developing skills in the analysis of fluorescein angiography results.

Outcome The resident will be able to utilize advanced diagnostic procedures for maximum benefit in the care of patients with ocular disease.

PROGRAM GOAL 3

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 4

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 Eye Centers of Florida main clinical facility and its satellite offices. 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 physicians when consulting for the care of optometric patients with systemic disease.

PROGRAM GOAL 5

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

Learning

Activity The resident will present one lecture per quarter during the regular professional staff meeting. In addition the resident will present one grand rounds to the professional group and submit for presentation one poster for SECO at its annual meeting.

Outcome The resident will become comfortable and effective at communicating scientific information to groups of health care providers.

PROGRAM GOAL 6

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

Learning

Activity The resident will prepare a publication quality manuscript and participate in clinical research conducted at Eye Centers of Florida.

Outcome The resident will complete a publication quality manuscript prior to the end of the residency.

PROGRAM GOAL 7

Objective The resident will gain an understanding of practice management concepts unique to a co-management center, with an emphasis on coding and billing.

Learning

Activity The resident will participate in internal and external audits and attend in-house presentations on coding and billing and practice management.

Outcome The resident will appropriately document and code each chart.

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 Florida license and furnish official transcripts. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain a Florida optometry license.

E. Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from the chief academic officer or clinical director of the optometric institution. Two letters must be from full-time faculty members who have been most responsible for the clinical education of the applicant.

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 Eye Centers of Florida, Inc. 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 54 weeks in length, commencing in July, allowing for a two-week overlap with the previous outgoing resident.

STATUS OF THE RESIDENT

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

B. The resident will be provided with an apartment allowance.

C. The resident should arrange to take the examinations required by the Florida 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 Florida board, dismissal from the residency program will be at the option of the residency committee to recommend, followed by approval of Medical Director of ECOF.

D. The resident will be provided with malpractice insurance by the professional liability insurance program of ECOF. The cost of this insurance coverage will be paid by ECOF. It is understood that upon separation from ECOF all insurance benefits provided by ECOF would cease and it will be the resident’s responsibility to provide his or her own insurance.

E. The resident will be offered medical and dental insurance as per the plan provided to ECOF employees.

F. The resident will be credentialed according to the policies of ECOF.

G. The residents’ privileges will be determined according to the policies of ECOF.

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY

A. The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor, Medical Director and The Residency Committee of ECOF as well as the Director of Residency Programs, and the administration of SCO. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. until patient care is completed, usually around 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Periodic Saturday morning clinics may also be involved with the resident’s schedule. The resident is expected to be present during all working hours. On-call services may also be required periodically during the residency.

B. The resident will be required to keep a record of patient contacts. The Residency Supervisor and the Residency Committee at ECOF 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 ECOF.

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 ECOF.

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 ECOF.

H. Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed by ECOF, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infraction of the rules and regulations of Eye Centers of Florida 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 $32,000 will be provided for the 54 weeks of training paid by Eye Centers of Florida. Health insurance according to the group policy benefits as an employee of Eye Centers of Florida will be available, or the resident may purchase health insurance at a nominal cost through Southern College of Optometry’s group insurance plan. The resident is allotted $1,500 per year for continuing education, dues and subscriptions. In addition the resident will be provided with an apartment allowance of up to $600 per month to cover apartment rent during the year with ECOF.

Leave benefits: Leave benefits include time off for major holidays plus ten days (80 hours) over the 54 week period of the residency program. All leave is subject to approval of the program supervisor.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Physical Facilities

Eye Centers of Florida, a primary, secondary and tertiary eye center has as its main facility a two-story 34,000 square foot main building with an attached 6500 square foot surgical center. The main facility has 45 examination rooms, multiple conference rooms and other facilities and is located in Ft. Myers, Florida. There are also thirteen satellite offices located throughout southwest Florida and an aesthetic center for cosmetic facial surgery.

Equipment

Each examination room in the main facility of ECOF is fully equipped. There are several special testing rooms equipped with specialized equipment including, but not limited to the Artemis, OCT, Tear Analyzer, SLT, A and B Scan, HRT, GDX, Orbscan, Optomap, and retinal cameras for fluorescein angiography and internal photography. In addition ECOF has a dedicated laser center equipped with LADAR Custom Cornea as well as Visx. Each of the thirteen satellite centers has a minimum of two fully equipped examination rooms and several are equipped with Optomap. GDX units are rotated through the satellites regularly.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Faculty

The cost of educational support for the residency program will be borne by Eye Centers of Florida. The faculty will consist of the Director of Residency and Externships, Medical Director, Staff Ophthalmic Surgeons, and Staff Optometric Physicians. The Director of Residency Programs at Southern College of Optometry will serve as consultant.

Staff

Support staff will be those employees of Eye Centers of Florida who are hired to assist the professional staff in the delivery of eye care at the main facility and at the satellites.

ACCREDITATION

The residency program at Eye Centers of Florida will apply for 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 of Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.