Residency in Primary Care Optometry, with Emphasis in Ocular Disease
James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Mountain Home, TN
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 with an emphasis in ocular disease 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.
Objective:The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency in the provision of primary eye care services.
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.
Measure: The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.
Goal 2: Strengthen the resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease.
Objective 1: 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 to determine if the desired level of technical and cognitive ability is being exhibited.
Objective 2: 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 3: 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 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge of specialized diagnostic instrumentation.
Objective 1: The resident will develop expertise 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 interpreting posterior segment imaging techniques.
Outcome: The resident will observe 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 ophthalmic photography
Outcome: The resident will perform ophthalmic photography 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
Objective 4: The resident will develop expertise in ordering and interpreting relevant laboratory and radiology procedures.
Outcome: The resident will order and/or interpret laboratory and radiology procedures on at least 25 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: Enhance the resident’s knowledge of low vision care.
Objective: The resident will gain experience in managing patients with limited sight.
Outcome: The resident will evaluate and manage at least 30 patients with limited sight.
Measure: The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.
Goal 5: 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 providers in management of patients with systemic disease. The resident will observe clinics with other medical providers.
Measure: The resident will report monthly on the number of patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary sheets.
Goal 6: 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 professionals in group settings.
Outcome: The resident will present lectures during conferences and other meetings held at the Mountain Home VAMC and when possible will 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 activity summary.
Goal 7: Instill in the resident an appreciation of the importance or scholarly activity.
Objective: 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 the designated completion date.
CURRICULUM
I. Educational objectives
A. During the course of a residency at this facility, the optometrist will gather extensive experience in several specific areas, including:
1. Primary eye care procedures, including routine examination, diagnosis, and treatment of vision disorders.
2. Diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease, using full scope of diagnostic testing and pharmaceutical intervention available at this medical center.
3. Performing and/or interpreting specialized ophthalmic testing procedures including:
a. ultrasonography (A- and B- scans)
b. retinal nerve fiber analysis (OCT)
c. anterior and posterior segment photography
4. Procedures involved in ordering and interpreting other specialty tests pertinent to ophthalmic diagnosis and management, including:
a. radiology
b. laboratory (including microbiological and hematological studies)
c. vascular laboratory (including carotid studies)
5. Enhancing the residents knowledge of low vision care.
6. Systemic associations with ocular disease, and the procedures for diagnosis and treatment of these systemic conditions.
7. Utilizing optometrists as gatekeepers into the health care system by appropriate interaction with a referral to other health care providers as needed for the total management of the patient.
8. Areas unique to hospital-based optometric practices, including:
a. familiarity with ophthalmic surgical procedures, including comanagement of surgical patients with ophthalmology
b. ophthalmic consultation and management of hospital inpatients
c. management of ophthalmic disorders in extended care and nursing home care units
9. The residency program will encourage the residents to enhance the existing optometric literature by requiring at least one paper of publication quality to be written during the residency.
B. The resident will gain experience in presenting optometric topics to peers in written and oral form
II. Learning activities
A. The resident will provide direct care to patients in the Optometry and Ophthalmology Clinics of the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center
B. The resident will actively participate in weekly Optometry Journal Club meetings
C. Attendance at weekly presentations
D. Resident will give scheduled presentations to the Optometry Journal Club
E. The resident will author a paper of publication quality
III. Expected outcomes
A. The resident will, at the completion of the residency, have directly provided eye care to a substantial number of patients, a significant percentage of which presented with ocular and / or systemic disease. This experience will enable the resident to independently provide full-scope primary eye care at the highest level.
B. The resident will, at the completion of the residency, have directly provided eye care to a substantial number of patients requiring low vision services. This experience will enable the resident to independently provide intermediate level low vision services.
C. The resident will, at the completion of the residency, have coordinated the care of a significant number of patients with the VAMC ophthalmology service. This experience will enable the resident to effectively assume a significant role in the co-management of patients with ophthalmologists.
D. The resident will develop skills in presentation of optometric topics to peers to a level suitable to provide sanctioned continuing education to optometric practitioners and to author articles suitable for publication in the professional literature
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.
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.
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 July 1.
LEAVE POLICY
The resident is eligible for thirteen days annual leave. The resident is also eligible for educational leave to attend approved professional meetings. Annual and educational leave is granted with prior approval of the Supervisor and the Associate Chief of Staff for Ambulatory Care, in conjunction with the SCO Director of Residency Programs. Residents are also eligible for 13 days per year of sick leave.
STATUS OF THE RESIDENT
A. The resident is defined as an employee of the Mountain Home VAMC and the residency stipend is paid by the VAMC. No tuition or fees are applicable.
B. The resident should for apply for optometric license in at least one of the fifty states prior to the beginning of the residency.
C. Professional liability protection for residents for work done at the Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home VAMC policy for credentialing of residents.
F. Residents privileges will be determined by Mountain Home VAMC policy.
CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY
A. The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor, Director of Residency Programs, and the SCO and Mountain Home VAMC administrations. Normal clinic hours are from 7:30 A.M. until patient care is completed, usually around 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. The resident is expected to be present during all working hours, except attending conferences and doing study or research. Since the Optometry Section is not responsible for on-call services the resident will not be required to be on call.
B. The resident is required to keep a record of patient contacts. Cases will be reviewed periodically by the Supervisor of the Residency Program and the Director of Residency Programs.
C. The resident is required to write a publication quality paper based on original research, literature review, or a clinical case.
D. The resident will be required to deliver an oral presentation at the annual Resident Weekend, held on the campus at SCO.
E. 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 Mountain Home VAMC.
F. The resident is 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 the Mountain Home VAMC or those set forth by Southern College of Optometry, or for any action which 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
A residency stipend will be provided for the year of training paid by Mountain Home VAMC. Effective July 1, 2023, the stipend is $43,924. Compensation is not contingent upon productivity of the resident. Additional benefits such as FICA and insurance are also funded. Optional health and life insurance benefits are also available through the VAMC.
ACCREDITATION
The residency program at Mountain Home VAMC is fully accredited by the Accreditation 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 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 of Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cheryl E. Mengelt, O.D.
Director of Residencies
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Office: (901) 722-3201
Fax: (901) 722-3244
email: [email protected]