International College of Ophthalmologists

Training Program

Our goal is to develop world-class ophthalmologists, with outstanding technical and clinical knowledge, surgical skillset and experience to deliver exceptional ophthalmic patient care.

Our training program offers:

High levels of supervision and teaching by experienced Consultants.
Practical experience in a broad range of general and subspeciality ophthalmic surgeries and clinical cases. Our sub specialties include: Cornea, Retina, Paediatrics/strabismus, Oculoplastics, Glaucom, Neuro- Ophthalmololgy, and Cataract.
Regular didactic learning opportunities (including Eye School), as well as generous study/examination support and preparation.

Program specifications :

DEFINITION:

Ophthalmology is that branch of surgery concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and management of optical, medical, and surgical disorders of the eye, its adnexa, the visual pathways, and the visual system.

GOALS :

Upon completion of training, a resident is expected to be a competent specialist in Ophthalmology capable of assuming a consultant’s role in the specialty. The resident must acquire an expert knowledge of the theoretical basis of the specialty, including its foundations in science and research, as it applies to medical and surgical practice.

The basic sciences necessary for the understanding and practice of the specialty include genetics, embryology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, and the physics of optics and refraction.

The Ophthalmologist must possess a sound knowledge of the general principles of surgery and medicine. Ophthalmology incorporates some aspects of dermatology, microbiology, neurology, pathology, pediatrics, plastic surgery, and other specialties, and the graduate must have knowledge in these fields as they relate to Ophthalmology.

Residents must demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and behaviours for effective patient-centred care and service to a diverse population. In all aspects of specialist practice the graduate must be able to address ethical issues and issues of gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, beliefs, and ethnicity in a professional manner.

OPHTHALMOLOGY COMPETENCIES

NOTE: Advanced knowledge is defined as a broad and deep level of knowledge, from basic science to clinical application, including the ability to apply the scientific literature, adapting and extrapolating as required, sufficient to independently manage a problem or apply an approach or technique in the area. At the completion of training, the resident will have acquired the following competencies and will function effectively as a:

Medical Expert

Communicator

Collaborator

Manager

Health Advocate

Scholar

Professional

Medical Expert

Definition:

As Medical Experts, Ophthalmologists integrate all of the CanMEDS Roles, applying medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes in their provision of patient-centred care. Medical Expert is the central physician Role in the CanMEDS framework.
Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1- Function effectively as consultants, integrating all of the CanMEDS Roles to provide optimal, ethical, and patient-centred medical care

- Perform a consultation effectively, including the presentation of welldocumented assessments and recommendations in oral, written, and/or electronic form in response to a request from another health care professional
- Demonstrate use of all CanMEDS competencies relevant to Ophthalmology
- Identify and appropriately respond to relevant ethical issues arising in patient care
- Demonstrate the ability to prioritize professional duties when faced with multiple patients and problems
- Demonstrate compassionate and patient-centred care
- Recognize and respond to the ethical dimensions in medical decisionmaking
- Demonstrate medical expertise in situations other than patient care, such as teaching, providing expert testimony or advising governments
- Contribute to quality care and patient safety, integrating evidencebased practices and practice guidelines.

2- Establish knowledge of the basic sciences and clinical fundamentals of ophthalmology, including:

Demonstrate knowledge of:

– Physiology as it applies to the ocular and visual systems

– Changes that occur in ocular anatomy and visual physiology with normal development

– Ocular genetics and embryology and their association with ocular pathology

– Pharmacology as it applies to the ocular and visual systems

– Ocular pathology

Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the following instruments and investigations:

– Retinoscope

– Tonometers

– Slit lamp

– Direct ophthalmoscope

– Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope

– Prisms

– Hess screen

– Pachymeter

– Keratometer

– A-scan and B-scan ultrasound

– Corneal topographer

– Fundus camera

– Angiograms of posterior and anterior segments

– Lensmeter

– Perimeter: Goldmann and automated

– Ocular coherence tomography (OCT)

– Operating microscope

– Telescopes, including surgical loupes

– Laser interferometers, including but not limited to the
Heidelberg retinal tomograph (HRT)

– Surgical lasers

3- Establish and maintain clinical knowledge, skills, and behaviours appropriate to Ophthalmology

4- Perform a complete and appropriate assessment of a patient

5- Use preventive and therapeutic interventions effectively

6- Demonstrate proficient and appropriate use of procedural skills, bothdiagnost ic and therapeutic]

7- Seek appropriate consultation from other health professionals, recognizing the limits of one’s own expertise

Communicator

Definition:

As Communicators, Ophthalmologists effectively facilitate the doctor-patient relationship and the dynamic exchanges that occur before, during, and after the medical encounter.

Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1. Develop rapport, trust, and ethical therapeutic relationships with patients and families

2. Elicit and synthesize accurate, relevant information and perspectives of patients and families, colleagues, and other professionals

3. Convey relevant information and explanations accurately to patients and families, colleagues, and other professionals.

4. Develop a common understanding on issues, problems, and plans with patients, families, and other professionals to develop a shared plan of care.

5. Convey oral, written, and/or electronic information effectively about a medical encounter

6. Present medical information effectively to the public or media about a medical issue

Collaborator

Definition:

As Collaborators, Ophthalmologists work effectively within a health care team to achieve optimal patient care.

Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1. Participate effectively and appropriately in an interprofessional health care team

2. Work with other health professionals effectively to prevent, negotiate, and resolve interprofessional conflict

Manager

Definition:

As Managers, Ophthalmologists are integral participants in health care organizations, organizing sustainable practices, making decisions concerning the allocation of resources, and contributing to the effectiveness of the health care system.

Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1. Participate in activities that contribute to the effectiveness of health care organizations and systems

2. Manage practice and career effectively, understanding personal limitations and seeking out appropriate advice

3. Allocate finite health care resources appropriately

4. 4. Serve in administration and leadership roles, as appropriate

Health Advocate

Definition:
As Health Advocates, Ophthalmologists use their expertise and influence responsibly to advance the health and well-being of individual patients, communities, and populations.

Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1. Respond to individual patient health needs and issues as part of patient care

2. Respond to the health needs of communities that they serve

3. Promote the health of individual patients, communities, and populations

Scholar

Definition:
As Scholars, Ophthalmologists demonstrate a lifelong commitment to reflective learning, and the creation, dissemination, application, and translation of medical knowledge.

Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1. Maintain and enhance professional activities through ongoing learning

2. Critically evaluate medical information and its sources, and apply this appropriately to practice decisions

3. Facilitate the learning of patients, families, students, residents, other health professionals, the public, and others

4. Contribute to the development, dissemination, and translation of new knowledge and practices

Professional

Definition:

As Professionals, Ophthalmologists are committed to the health and well-being of individuals and society through ethical practice, profession-led regulation, and high
personal standards of behaviour.

Key and Enabling Competencies: Ophthalmologists are able to…

1. Demonstrate a commitment to their patients, profession, and society through ethical practice

2. Demonstrate a commitment to patients, profession, and society through participation in profession-led regulation

3. Demonstrate a commitment to physician health and sustainable practice