Program Policies

 

PROGRAM MISSION

The Residency in Ocular Disease, with Emphasis in Refractive and Ocular Surgery at Woolfson Eye Institute provides graduate optometrists with advanced competency in eye care in the areas of co-management of refractive surgery, ocular surgery, and ocular disease through education and patient care.

 

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 

Goal 1: 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 (including complications) refractive surgical care.

Outcome: The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 300 refractive surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 300 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 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 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 2: Expand the resident's knowledge 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 (including emergency) cataract surgical care.

Outcome: The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 100 cataract surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 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.

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 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 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 patients 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: 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, retinal disease, and other types of ocular disease.

Outcome: The resident will complete a minimum of 500 patient encounters with patients presenting with ocular disease.

Measure: The resident will report on the number and type of patient encounters utilizing the activity log.


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 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 the supervisor 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 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 specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

Objective 1: The resident will develop expertise in understanding the indications for performing and in the interpretation of corneal topography.

Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret corneal topography for 300 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 aberrometry.

Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret aberrometry for 100 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.

Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret pachymetry for 300 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.

Outcome: The resident will perform and interpret visual fields on a variety of instruments for 20 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 500 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 GDx and/or OCT.

Outcome: The resident will perform a minimum of 50 GDx and/or OCT procedures and interpret their results.

Measure: The resident will document patient encounters of this type using the activity log.

 

 

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 physicians in the management of at least 200 patients with systemic disease.

Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters and participation in conferences 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 effectively present information to other professionals in group settings.

Outcome: The resident will present one 30-minute lecture during the residency.

Measure: The resident will report on this type of activity using the activity log.

 

 

Goal 7: 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.

 

 

 

CURRICULUM

 

PROGRAM GOAL 1

Objective: The resident will develop expertise in the selection, evaluation, and management of patients who desire refractive surgery and provide pre- and post-operative (including complications) refractive surgical care.

Learning Activity: The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 300 refractive surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 300 refractive surgery patients at Woolfson Eye Institute.

Outcome: The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of refractive surgery patient through the experience gained by providing care for a large number and variety of refractive surgery patients.

 

PROGRAM GOAL 2

Objective:  The resident will develop an advanced competency in the management of cataract surgery patients.

Learning Activity:  The resident will provide pre-operative surgical evaluations to a minimum of 100 cataract surgery patients and post-operative surgical care to at least 100 cataract surgery patients at Woolfson Eye Institute.

Outcome:  The resident will develop an advanced degree of proficiency in the care of cataract surgery patient through the experience gained by providing care for a large number and variety of cataract 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 500 patients with ocular disease at Woolfson Eye Institute.

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 an advanced degree of proficiency in the use of specialized ocular diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

Learning Activity: The resident will utilize corneal topography, aberrometry, pachymetry, visual fields, refractometry, and GDx/OCT in the care of patients.

Outcome:  The resident will be able to utilize advanced diagnostic procedures for maximum benefit in the care of patients with ocular disease and/or candidates for refractive and cataract surgery.

 

PROGRAM GOAL 5

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 Woolfson Eye Institute. 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 6

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

Learning Activity: The resident will present one 30-minute lecture during the residency.

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 curriculum will didactic activities.

Learning Activity: A list of quarterly didactic expectations will be published on the program's academic calendar.

Outcome:  The resident will report these activities in the activity log.

 

 

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.

1. You must have already passed NBEO Part I, II and TMOD in order to apply to one of our programs through ORMatch.
2. You must have passed NBEO Part III and ISE (if applicable) in order to begin an SCO affiliated residency program.
3. 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.
 

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 Woolfson Eye Institute. 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, commencing on July 1 and ending the following June 30.

 

STATUS OF THE RESIDENT

A. The resident is defined as an employee of Woolfson Eye Institute (WEI) and the residency will be paid for by WEI. 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 board, 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 WEI.

C. The resident will be provided with professional liability insurance by the professional liability insurance program of WEI. The cost of this insurance coverage will be paid by WEI. This insurance will cover only activities associated with the residency and WEI. It is understood that upon separation from WEI all insurance benefits provided by WEI 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 the plan provided to WEI employees.

E. The resident will be credentialed according to the policies of WEI.

F. The residents' privileges will be determined according to the policies of WEI.

 

ON CALL POLICY FOR WOOLFSON EYE INSTITUTE RESIDENTS

Revised on June 16, 2016

Residents at Woolfson Eye Institute rotate with the other doctors in the practice who are on-call for nights and weekends for emergency or urgent care of Woolfson Eye Institute patients, as well as for some of the Woolfson Affiliate optometrists’ patients.  Doctors and residents rotate by taking one week of evening and weekend call—typically beginning on Monday at 5 pm through the following Monday at 8 am.  Each resident should expect to spend 9 weeks of taking evening and weekend call during the one year residency. 

The resident’s independent responsibilities for on-call status will begin 30 days after initially beginning the program, but only if they are Georgia licensed by that time and are deemed by their preceptor to be adequately competent to take call.  Prior to the first 30 days and/or prior to obtaining a license, the resident may be asked to take call as a staff member (rather than as a staff doctor) in order to triage patients via phone as a preliminary step to obtaining assistance for the patient via a staff doctor. 

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 on-call resident obtain assistance from one of the surgeons in the group.  When the patient requires surgical attention on an emergency basis, the resident on call will contact the appropriate surgeon within the practice based on specialty and/or history with the patient.  Woolfson surgeons and the residency preceptor will be available, as well, for telephone consults. 

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.

Additionally, the doctors involved in refractive surgery, including the residents, will rotate for LASIK one-day post-ops that fall on Saturday.  Saturday post-ops typically are scheduled beginning at 8 am, and are usually completed within 90 minutes.  Occasionally, complications require the surgeon to be called in to take patients to the procedure room.  Residents should be prepared to assist as needed with the care of those patients for as long as may be required.   

 

RESIDENT'S EXPECTED WORK WEEK

Locations: Resident's at Woolfson Eye Institute 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 all 4 of our Georgia locations: Sandy Springs, Cumming, Lawrenceville and Stockbridge, all of which provide both Referral Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery. Occasionally, residents will be called upon to participate in 'Consult Days' at local OD offices.

Travel reimbursement for providing services at offices other than the designated 'home office' (currently Sandy Springs) is currently $0.55 per mile and is subject to change in the future.

Hours: Most office hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Doctors generally are expected to arrive at the time the first 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, but being 'on call', which is rotated among the staff ODs and MDs, may create Saturday hours.Residents will have on-call responsibility 9 times during the residency year.  On-call responsibility will be instituted after the first full month of the program and after the residents have been deemed clinically competent to assume this duty as determined by the Program Supervisor and WEI MDs.  On-call responsibilities will be supervised by the attending OD/MD.  Please see WEI's Written Supervision Policy.

Also, the resident will be expected to rotate with the refractive surgery ODs and MDs approximately every 4th week, and will also be expected to substitute for ODs and/or MDs for both 'on call' hours and Saturday post-ops. Within this framework, most weeks will include 40 hours, but occasionally as many as 50 hours. The time in Referral Ophthalmology Clinic will be approximately equal to the time in Refractive Surgery Clinic.

Any resident also holding a license to practice optometry in the state of Tennessee may accompany Jonathan Woolfson, MD when he performs LASIK surgery at the WEI Chattanooga, TN office.  When this situation arises the resident who has demonstrated clinical competence will assist in peri-operative management of LASIK patients.  The resident will also have hands-on experience with the FDA-approved Avedro version for corneal cross-linking at the Chattanooga office.  WEI will reimburse travel and expenses when the resident travels to the TN office for residency training. 

 

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 WEI as well as the Director of Residency Programs, and the administration of SCO. The resident's schedule on a typical week may be as follows (this is an example only):

Monday: Full clinic in refractive surgery center with preceptor, Tom Spetalnick, OD. Typical patients include those seeking refractive surgery and those suffering from ocular complications (acute and chronic) of refractive surgery. Initial comprehensive examination includes topography, pachymetry, and refraction on all exams, as well as follow-up visits. Typical load: 30-40 patients/day.

Tuesday: Full clinic with corneal referral ophthalmologist, Milan Patel, MD. Patients include those seeking consultations for refractive surgery and those referred to center for corneal or other ocular pathology. Typical load: 30-40 patients/day.

Wednesday: Full clinic with cataract and IOL specialist, Andy Shatz, MD. Typical patients will include cataract and elective IOL candidates and IOL post-ops, as well as IOL complications.

Thursday: Full clinic with Retinal/Glaucoma referral ophthalmologist, Brian Salmenson, MD. Typical patients include diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, and other retinal pathology, as well as initial and follow-up glaucoma cases. Typical load: 30-40 patients/day.

Friday: Full clinic with Jonathan Woolfson, MD for laser refractive surgery. Typical patients will be those scheduled for LASIK or PRK procedures. Typical load: 20-30 patients/day.

B. The resident will be required to keep a record of patient contacts. The Residency Supervisor 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 required to deliver an oral presentation at the annual Resident Weekend, held on the campus at SCO.
E. The resident will be expected to assist in the continuing education programs provided at WEI.
F. 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 WEI.
G. The resident will be required to participate in and complete the requirements set forth in the curriculum.
H. 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 WEI.
I. Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed by WEI, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infraction of the rules and regulations of Woolfson Eye Institute 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 $37,500 will be provided for the 52 weeks of training paid by WEI. Compensation is not contingent upon productivity of the resident. Health insurance according to the group policy benefits as an employee of WEI will be provided. Travel expenses to one meeting will be provided if the resident is presenting a paper or poster. Residents will be allotted a travel allowance for travel to centers other than the one deemed their home office.  

 

LEAVE BENEFITS

Leave benefits include time off for major holidays plus ten days (80 hours) over the 52 week period of the residency program. All leave is subject to approval of the program supervisor.

 

ACCREDITATION

The residency program at Woolfson Eye Institute is fully accredited by the ACOE, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 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 SCO Director of Residency Programs whom in turn reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.