Residency in Ocular Disease, with Emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses and Refractive and Ocular Surgery
GEORGIA EYE PARTNERS
affiliated with
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
Memphis, Tennessee
PROGRAM MISSION
The Residency in Ocular Disease, with Emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses and Refractive and Ocular Surgery at Georgia Eye Partners will provide graduate optometrists with advanced competency in eye care in the areas of co-management of cataract surgery, refractive surgery and mastering skills necessary to assess and be competent in treating ocular disease through education and patient care. The program includes advanced clinical training and competency with a focus in scleral contact lenses.
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Strengthen the resident’s expertise 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 cataract surgical care.
Outcome: The resident will provide pre-operative and post-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 100 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 and diagnostic tests.
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 months. In the first quarter, close supervision by the supervisor and attending physicians will occur. By the second 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 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.
Objective 5: The resident will determine the best cataract refractive plan based on the patient’s visual goals and demands. The resident will determine which intraocular lens is appropriate for the patient, which may include a toric IOL, a multi-focal IOL, an accommodating IOL, monovision, monofocal lens, PRK or LASIK after cataract surgery, or a limbal relaxing incision.
Outcome: The resident will consistently devise an appropriate refractive plan for each cataract patient, assessing the patient’s visual goals and demands.
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 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 refractive surgical care.
Outcome: The resident will provide pre-operative and post-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 25 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 that the appropriate level of 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 independency as the residency program progresses. The degree of independence from the direct supervision will increase with progressive months. In the first quarter, close supervision by the supervisor and attending physicians will be required. By the second 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 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease and contact lenses.
Objective 1: The resident will develop expertise in the management of patients with corneal disease, anterior segment disease, oculoplastics, glaucoma, retinal disease, and other types of ocular disease.
Outcome: The resident will complete a minimum of 50 patient encounters with patients presenting with these various ocular diseases. This will include pre and post operative care of patients having surgical procedures such as DSAEK, PK, PTK, blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, other lid/orbital procedures, trabeculectomies, tube shunts, ALT, LPI, PRP, and focal lasers.
Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.
Objective 2: The resident will gain expertise in the fitting of contact lenses.
Outcome: The resident will fit 25 patients with contact lenses.
Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.
Objective 3: The resident will perform the appropriate entrance tests, diagnostic procedures, and other necessary testing needed to assess the patient.
Outcome: The resident will consistently select and successfully perform the proper entrance tests, diagnostic procedures, and other necessary testing for each patient.
Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine that the appropriate level of cognitive ability is being exhibited.
Objective 4: The resident will determine the correct diagnosis for each patient.
Outcome: The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independency as the residency program progresses. The degree of independence from the direct supervision will increase with progressive months. In the first quarter, close supervision by the supervisor and attending physicians will be required. By the second 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 5: The resident will determine the best treatment and management plan 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 4: Expand the resident’s knowledge of systemic diseases and the appropriate treatment plan.
Objective 1: The resident will acquire additional knowledge of systemic disease and treatment plans. The resident will work collaboratively with a network of doctors from all medical specialties to treat these patients.
Outcome: The resident will work collaboratively with non- optometric physicians from the network to treat and manage at least 100 patients with systemic disease.
Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.
Goal 5: Expand the resident’s knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.
Objective 1: The resident will develop expertise and understanding the indications for performing and in the interpretation of the Zeiss Atlas corneal topographer.
Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret corneal topography for 25 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 endothelial cell counts using the Konan specular microscope Cellcheck.
Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret endothelial cell counts for 25 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 with the Accutome ultrasonic pachymeter.
Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret pachymetry for 25 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 with the Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field.
Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret visual fields on a variety of instruments for 25 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 50 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 OCT’s using the Zeiss Stratus OCT.
Outcome: The resident will perform a minimum of 25 OCT procedures and interpret their results.
Measure: The resident will document patient encounters of this type using the activity log.
Objective 7: The resident will develop expertise in performing and interpreting biometry, primarily using the Zeiss IOL master.
Outcome: The resident will perform a minimum of 25 IOL master measurements and interpret their results.
Measure: The resident will document patient encounters 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 present information to other professionals in group settings.
Outcome: The resident will present at least two 20 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 activities.
Objective: Educate the resident in the preparation of a professional manuscript suitable for publication in a refereed journal.
Outcome: The resident will write a manuscript on an approved topic. The resident may submit the manuscript for publication if they so desire.
Measure: The resident will complete the manuscript by the designated completion date.
Goal 8: The residency will provide the resident the opportunity to become an effective clinical educator.
Objective: The resident will acquire supervise optometry student clinicians in provision services to patients, and provide 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.
CURRICULUM
PROGRAM GOAL 1
Objective: The resident will develop advanced competency in the management of cataract surgery patients.
Learning Activity: The resident will provide pre-operative and post-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of at least 100 cataract surgery patients at Georgia Eye Partners.
Outcome: The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of cataract surgery patients through the experience gained by providing care for a large number and variety of cataract surgery patients.
PROGRAM GOAL 2
Objective: The resident will develop expertise in the selection, evaluation and management of patients desiring refractive surgery and provide pre- and post-operative refractive surgical care.
Learning Activity: The resident will provide pre-operative and post-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 25 refractive surgery patients at Georgia Eye Partners.
Outcome: The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of refractive surgery patients through the experience gained by providing care for a large number and variety of refractive 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 50 patients with ocular diseases at Georgia Eye Partners.
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 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 Georgia Eye Partners. 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 5
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 using the Zeiss Atlas corneal topographer, perimetry using the Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field, OCT’s with the Zeiss Stratus OCT, pachymetry with the Accutome ultrasonic pachymeter, biometry with the Zeiss IOLMaster, endothelial cell microscopy using the Konan specular microscope Cellcheck and refractometry in the care of patients.
Outcome: The resident will be able to utilize advance diagnostic procedures for a maximum benefit in the care of patients with ocular disease and/or candidates for refractive and cataract surgery.
PROGRAM GOAL 6
Objective: The resident will develop presentation skills in communicating with fellow professionals.
Learning Activity: The resident will present two 20 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 resident will supervise optometry student clinicians in provision services to patients, and provide lectures to optometry students.
Learning Activity: The resident will mentor and oversee optometric externs during the final nine months of the residency.
Outcome: The resident will become an effective clinical educator.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A. All applicants must complete the SCO application. All applicants must complete the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch), and provide all required supporting documentation by the deadline of January 30 to be considered for an SCO program.
- You must have already passed NBEO Part I, II and TMOD in order to apply to one of our programs through ORMatch.
- You must have passed NBEO Part III and ISE (if applicable) in order to begin an SCO affiliated residency program.
- Those applying to a VA hospital or a state that does not require TMOD to obtain licensure are an exception if TMOD is not passed on first attempt.
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 a transcript to ORMatch from his/her school/college of optometry. An applicant should have a cumulative grade point average of 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 state licensure. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain the appropriate state license.
E. A personal interview will be required.
F. The College affirms that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity at or affiliated with Southern College of Optometry on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, disability, or national origin.
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 Georgia Eye Partners. 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 plus one week commencing on July 1 and ending the following year on July 8.
STATUS OF THE RESIDENT
A. The resident is defined as an employee of Georgia Eye Partners (GEP) and the residency will be paid by GEP. 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 state boards, dismissal from the residency program will be at the option of the Southern College of Optometry residency director to recommend, in consultation with the residency supervisor at GEP.
C. The resident will be provided with professional liability insurance by the professional liability insurance program of GEP. The cost of this insurance coverage will be paid by GEP. This insurance will cover activities associated with the residency and GEP. It is understood that upon separation from GEP, insurance benefits provided by GEP 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 of the plan provided to GEP employees.
E. The resident will be credentialed according to the policies of GEP
F. The resident’s privileges will be determined according to the policies of GEP.
ON CALL POLICY FOR GEORGIA EYE PARTNERS RESIDENTS
Residents at Georgia Eye Partners are expected to rotate with other doctors in the practice in taking call for patients.
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 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. A tablet will be provided to allow after hours access to Compulink. The residents will be on call one week every six weeks for the first six months, and then one week every four weeks after the first six months.
RESIDENT’S EXPECTED WORK WEEK
Locations: Residents at Georgia Eye Partners 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 both of our Georgia locations: Atlanta Northside and Atlanta Midtown. Occasionally, residents will be called upon to participate in satellite clinic days at local OD offices.
Travel reimbursement for providing services at offices other than the designated ‘home office’ is currently $0.58 per mile and is subject to change in the future.
Hours: Most office hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Doctors are generally expected to arrive at the time a 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. Being ‘on call’, which is rotated among the staff ODs and MDs, may create Saturday hours. The resident will be expected to rotate with the ODs and MDs approximately every 3 months. Within this framework, most weeks will include 40 hours, but occasionally as many as 50 hours.
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 GEP, as well as the Director of Residency Programs, and the administration of Southern College of Optometry.
B. The resident will be required to keep a record of patient contacts. The Residency Supervisor and 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 GEP, and provide an oral presentation on campus at SCO in June of their residency year.
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 GEP.
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 GEP.
H. Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed by GEP, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infraction of the rules and regulations of Georgia Eye Partners, or those set forth by Southern College of Optometry, or for any action that jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel or physical facilities.
A resident rotating through a hospital based (or similar) residency program must adhere to all facility policies and procedures, including but not limited to, receiving all required immunizations or showing appropriate medical documentation that he/she is in full medical compliance with required immunizations. In addition, if a resident cannot receive a flu or similar immunization due to potential allergic reaction, medical documentation must be made available to the Program Supervisor prior to the program's start date. A resident should receive the required immunizations provided by the facility when appropriate. Otherwise, any costs incurred will be the resident's responsibility. Any grievances should be submitted in writing to SCO's Director for Residency Programs utilizing the procedures found in the Residency Handbook.
STIPEND AND BENEFITS
Stipend: A residency stipend of $40,000 will be provided for the 53 weeks of training paid by GEP. Health insurance according to the group policy benefits as an employee of GEP will be provided. Travel and continuing education expenses of $1,000 will be given to attend meetings if the resident decides to attend an accredited eye care educational event. Compensation is not contingent upon productivity of the resident.
LEAVE BENEFITS
Leave benefits include time off for major holidays plus ten days (80 hours) over the 53 week period of the residency program. All leave is subject to approval of the program supervisor.
ACCREDITATION
Georgia Eye Partners is fully accredited by the Council on Optometric Education, 243 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, and (314) 991-4100.
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 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. Mengelt, O.D.
Director, Residency Programs
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 722-3201
Email: [email protected]
Jennifer Sanderson, O.D.
Assistant Director of Residency Programs
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 722-3393
[email protected]