We have made some important changes to the requirements for applicants who wish to apply to join the specialist register via the Portfolio pathway route.
Cataract surgery numbers for Portfolio pathway applicants- Curriculum 2024 application
We have reviewed the number of surgical requirements for cataract surgeries for anyone wishing to apply for specialist registration via the Portfolio pathway route. This is relevant to curriculum 2024 applications only.
The requirements were previously:
- Level 3: 350 procedures (phacoemulsification) with the guidance that ‘it is essential that at least 300 procedures are from the last five years.
- Level 4: 800 procedures (including small pupils, white cataract pseudoexfoliation, complex cataracts).
Having listened to applicant and assessor feedback the following amendments will take immediate effect:
- Level 3: a minimum of 250 procedures (phacoemulsification) with the guidance that it is recommended the majority of the evidence is from the last five years.
- Level 4: a minimum of 500 procedures (including small pupils, white cataract pseudoexfoliation, complex cataracts).
A number of you have asked why surgical numbers are required for the Portfolio pathway route and not for trainees. The reason for the indicative numbers is that trainees are assessed and supervised over a seven-year period, with their performance being reviewed annually at their ARCP. Many Portfolio pathway applicants are not supervised and their assessors need to be able to assess the logbook evidence to ensure applicants have demonstrated they have the same level of skills as an eligible specialist in the UK.
It should be noted that the numbers are indicative and not mandatory. If the logbook evidence is supported by the appropriate entrustable professional activities (or EPA) forms then this enables the assessors to make a judgement on the above.
Personal cataract audit:
This has been removed for Level 3 evidence only. It remains for Level 4 evidence in the Cataract SIA. So if you are only submitting Level 3 evidence in the cataract SIA then you do not need to provide a personal cataract audit.