Information for Residents

Program Overview

The PGY1 (basic clinical year) will provide a broad base of clinical experience prior to beginning the core training in ophthalmology. Specific attention is given to areas with close patient links to ophthalmology such as neurology, endocrinology, dermatology, plastic surgery and neurosurgery, but broad medical experience is gained in other rotations. The two month elective allows the resident some flexibility in tailoring any other needs. Residents will attend 12 hours or 4 sessions in Critical Appraisal in the CORE Program.

The PGY2 thru PGY5 years are divided into 3 cycles. Each Cycle consists of 8, 2- month rotations (= 16 months). The 3 cycles (= 48 months) constitute the 4 years of core ophthalmology training. The 2 month rotations are 'man' or service based and the resident will travel with the 'man' to clinic, O.R. or office. The rotations are not location based per se. Residents will have 3 exposures to each sub-specialty in each of the 3 cycles and it will be expected that learning will be graduated & incremental as the residents progress thro' successive cycles.

The four years of core training in ophthalmology are designed to meet the "Objectives of Training and Specific Training Requirements in Ophthalmology", which themselves are in CanMEDS format:

The "Medical Expert" role will be imparted through self-study, didactic, and clinical formats with regular evaluation. During the PGY 2 & 3 years, each resident will work through the 13 sections of the Basic & Clinical Science Course in Ophthalmology of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. At the end of the PGY2 and beginning of the PGY3 years, each resident will attend the Lancaster or Stanford course in the basic and clinical sciences of ophthalmology given by leading experts. During the PGY4 year, each resident will attend the Course in Ocular Pathology given by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, which will provide further intensive instruction in the basic and clinical sciences in ophthalmic pathology. The PGY5 resident will attend the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology held in October or November each year, at which time several hundred courses are offered and allow flexibility in pursuing specific interests or in correcting deficiencies.

A core didactic program of lectures and tutorials will be given "in-house" on a two-year cycle, further ensuring coherent acquisition of knowledge. Grand rounds are held bi-weekly, September to June, to discuss interesting cases, ethical issues, and research presentations. Visiting professors are invited at least four times yearly, with a presentation and then a clinical session with the residents presenting cases for discussion. Journal clubs will be held regularly, during which time critical appraisal skills are enhanced. Opportunities for attendance at academic days at local and nearby institutions will include Stringer Day (Hamilton), Sally Letson (Ottawa), Walter Wright (Toronto); Jack Crawford Day (Toronto).

Competence in the use of diagnostic equipment, refraction, laser therapy and the ability to select and perform surgical procedures will be attained through clinical rotations with progressively increasing responsibility. Surgical skills will be acquired throughout the core years in a progressive fashion. Skills in acute care and trauma will be acquired through emergency call as well as in the office setting, and long-term care through the office setting. Consultation to patients on other medical and surgical inpatient wards is started during the PGY2 year.

Formal evaluation of knowledge will be by the standardized multiple choice examination (administered yearly to all residents in Ophthalmology in the United States and Canada) known as the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP), which ranks resident knowledge in several domains and according to residency level; once yearly mock oral examinations will be given locally by faculty; and evaluation following each of the two-monthly clinical (and surgical) rotations, based on rotation-specific goals and objectives in CanMEDS format, with summation every six months by the Program Director.

"Communication" and "Collaboration" skills will be nurtured, coached and evaluated through the clinical and surgical rotations so that each resident is able to communicate and appropriately collaborate with patients, patient families, peers (including other residents, referring and consultant physicians including anaesthesiologists, diagnostic imagers, pathologists & microbiologists), and other members of the health care team such as orthoptists, ophthalmic technicians, Eye Bank personnel, nurses, social workers, and workers from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

"Management" skills will be taught as above through "Communication" and "Collaboration", but also more specifically through external courses (e.g. "Future Focus") and by advice and close monitoring by Faculty. Up-to-date computer facilities, dedicated to resident use, will be available to utilize electronic information technology.

"Health Advocate" skills will be mentored at the level of day-to-day management of the individual patient (e.g. access to low-vision services), through discussion at Journal Club, and observation and participation in interest groups and committees as specific issues arise, such as determining resources for the visually impaired.

"Scholarship" will be encouraged through participation in activities of continuing professional development through our national specialty society (the Canadian Ophthalmological Society), other meetings, and critical appraisal of journals. Each resident will be strongly encouraged to directly participate in a research project that will lead to presentation and/or publication, and there will be a standing item dealing with resident research on the agenda of every meeting of the Residency Program Committee.

"Professionalism" will be nurtured and mentored so that each resident exhibits appropriate personal and interpersonal professional behaviours so as to practise medicine ethically and consistent with the obligations of a physician. The ability to recognize limits of personal competence will be through regular evaluation both formal and informal.

Research

Candidates will be expected to carry out at least two research projects during their residency with the expectation that this would be presented at a local or national meeting followed by publication.

Selection Criteria

  • A strong academic record
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
    Maturity, empathy, and excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Candidates with an interest and proven experience in research, both in basic science and clinical research are encouraged to apply.
  • Publication on any topic (any scientific paper)
  • Proven interest in ophthalmology which can be demonstrated by electives

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