W. G. (BILL) HEFNER VA MEDICAL CENTER
SALISBURY , NORTH CAROLINA
affiliated with
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the residency is to prepare optometrists to provide full-scope primary care optometry by providing post-graduate clinical experience beyond that provided in the Doctor of Optometry program.
Goal 1: Enhance the resident’s skills in optometric primary care
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Objective: |
The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency in the provision of primary eye care services. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will provide primary eye care services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, 50% of which will include obtaining a case history, visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, and external and internal ocular health assessment during the encounter. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets. |
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Goal 2: Strengthen the resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease.
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Objective 1: |
The resident will perform the appropriate diagnostic procedures. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will consistently select and successfully perform the proper diagnostic procedures for each patient. |
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Measure: |
The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine if the desired level of technical and cognitive ability is being exhibited. |
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Objective 2: |
The resident will determine the correct diagnoses for each patient. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency program progresses. |
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Measure: |
The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident’s diagnostic ability. |
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Objective 3: |
The resident will determine the best management based on the diagnoses. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient in order to best address the patient’s needs. |
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Measure: |
The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to asses the resident’s management skills. |
Goal 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge of specialized diagnostic instrumentation.
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Objective 1: |
The resident will develop expertise in performing fundus photography. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will perform fundus photography on at least 50 patients. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets. |
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Objective 2: |
The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting fluorescein angiography. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will photograph and interpret the results of at least 40 patients undergoing fluorescein angiography over the course of the year. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets. |
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Objective 3: |
The resident will develop expertise in ordering and interpreting relevant laboratory procedures. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will order laboratory procedures on at least 30 patients. |
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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: Increase the resident’s knowledge of systemic diseases and their treatment.
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Objective: |
The resident will acquire additional knowledge of systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with significant ocular manifestations. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will coordinate care with non-optometric providers in management of patients with systemic disease. The resident will participate in relevant presentations and conferences on systemic disease. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters and participation in conferences of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets. |
Goal 5: Develop the resident’s skill in presenting topics to fellow professionals.
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Objective: |
The resident will acquire and practice skills needed to effectively present information to other professionals in group settings. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will give at least 7 presentations over the course of the year at conferences, professional society meetings, and other meetings held at the Hefner VAMC or the Southern College of Optometry. The resident will prepare and submit for acceptance at least one poster or lecture to a national optometric meeting, such as the American Academy of Optometry or SECO. |
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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.
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Objective: |
Educate the resident in the preparation of a professional manuscript. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will prepare a publication-quality manuscript on an approved topic. |
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Measure: |
The resident will complete the manuscript by the designated completion date. |
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:
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Program Goal 1 |
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Objective: |
The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency in the provision of primary eye care services. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will provide primary eye care services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, 50% of which will include obtaining a case history, visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, and external and internal ocular health assessment during the encounter. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop enhanced skills in the management of primary eye care patients. |
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Program Goal 2 |
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Objective: |
The resident’s ocular disease-related diagnostic skills will be enhanced. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will provide services to a significant number of patients with ocular disease and will formulate a diagnosis based on the results of the procedures performed. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will become highly proficient in the performance and interpretation of basic and advanced ocular examination techniques on patients with ocular disease, and will attain advanced skills in the management of these patients. |
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Program Goal 3 |
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Objective: |
The resident will utilize a wide variety of diagnostic procedures and instrumentation while caring for patients. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will perform and/or interpret fundus photography, fluorescein angiography and relevant laboratory procedures. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop advanced knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation. |
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Program Goal 4 |
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Objective: |
The resident will acquire additional knowledge of systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with significant ocular manifestations. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will provide eye care to a large number of patients with systemic disease and will consult with non-optometric providers in the total care of these patients. |
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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. |
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Program Goal 5 |
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Objective: |
The resident will develop and present original presentations to other health care professionals. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will give at least 7 presentations over the course of the year at conferences, professional society meetings, and other meetings held at the Hefner VAMC or the Southern College of Optometry. The resident will prepare and submit for acceptance at least one poster or lecture to a national optometric meeting, such as the American Academy of Optometry or SECO. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop skills in providing effective presentations to health care professionals. |
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Program Goal 6 |
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Objective: |
The resident will engage in scholarly activity. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will prepare a publication-quality manuscript on an approved topic that will be reviewed and critiqued by the supervisor. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop an appreciation for scholarly activity and its importance to the profession. |
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A. All applicants must complete and return the Southern College of Optometry application forms and supporting documents by January 15. 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. All application materials must be submitted to the Director of Residency Programs of Southern College of Optometry and to the program supervisor at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all supporting documentation is submitted to each entity involved, e.g., the College, ORMS, and the residency site.
B. Applicant must have earned an O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation from an accredited school/college of optometry.
C. Applicant will furnish an official transcript from his/her school/college of optometry.
D. Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations and furnish official transcripts when available.
E. Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from the chief academic officer or clinical director of the 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 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.
LETTER OF INTENT
All applicants selected for admission must sign a standard letter of intent.
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY
Each residency is one calendar year in length, commencing in July.
LEAVE POLICY
The resident is eligible for annual leave according to VAMC policy. The resident is also eligible for educational leave to attend approved professional meetings. Annual and educational leave is granted with prior approval of the VA Residency Supervisor and the Chief of Optometry Service, in conjunction with the SCO Director of Residency Programs.
STATUS OF THE RESIDENT
A. The resident is defined as an employee of the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC and the residency stipend is paid by the VAMC. No tuition or fees are applicable.
B. The resident should apply for optometric license in at least one of the fifty states prior to or during the residency.
C. Professional liability protection for residents for work done at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC is provided under the Federal Tort claims act.
D. Residents will have access to Southern College of Optometry facilities such as the library.
E. Residents will be required to present credentials according to the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC policy for credentialing of residents.
F. Residents privileges will be determined by W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC policy.
CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY
A. The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the VA Residency Supervisor, the Residency Committee, Director of Residency Programs, and the SCO and Hefner VAMC administrations. Normal clinic hours are from 7:30 A.M. until patient care is completed, usually around 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. The resident is expected to be present for assigned clinical sessions, except when attending conferences or undertaking other approved scholastic activities. The resident will not be required to be on call on a regular basis, but with prior notice may occasionally be asked to take call (e.g., for inpatients admitted with an ocular diagnosis).
B. The resident is required to keep a record of patient contacts. Cases will be reviewed periodically by the VA Residency Supervisor, the Director of Residency Programs, and the Residency Committee.
C. The resident is required to write a publication quality paper or to complete an original research project as approved by the Supervisor.
D. The resident is 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 the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC.
E. The resident is required to participate in and complete the requirements set forth in the curriculum.
F. Upon successful completion of the Residency Program, the VA 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 the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC or those set forth by Southern College of Optometry, or for any action which jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel, or physical facilities.
STIPEND
A residency stipend will be provided for the year of training paid by W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC. The stipend is currently $29,000. Additional benefits such as FICA and insurance are also funded.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Resident moonlighting is permitted during the residency year as long as it does not interfere with any portion of the program’s mission, goals and objectives. The moonlighting should only occur outside of the resident’s normal duty hours.
ACCREDITATION
The residency program at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC is accredited by the Council on Optometric Education, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon satisfying all the requirements for completion of the program as determined by 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 reports to the VA Residency Supervisor. The VA Residency Supervisor reports directly to the SCO Director of Residency Programs who in turn reports directly to the Vice President of Clinical Programs at Southern College of Optometry.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
J. Bart Campbell, O.D.
Director, Residency Programs
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 722-3201
email: JBartC@sco.edu