Ophthalmic Trainees Forum question and answer session at Congress 2019

Aspects of OST

The RCOphth provides ophthalmologists throughout the Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) programme with useful resources to support learning and professional development.

Representation for Ophthalmologists in Training

You are represented by the RCOphth through the Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG), made up of trainee representatives from each region. Your representatives speak on behalf of you and fellow trainees and should be able to provide you with the latest information from the RCOphth.

The OTG discusses issues relevant to training, the impact of health policy and workforce issues on sustainable ophthalmology services in the UK. The OTG Chair sits on the RCOphth Council, ensuring trainees are represented at the highest level.

Support for Trainers

Trainers are an integral part of the OST programme as they deliver the OST Curriculum and teach and assess the progress of ophthalmologists in training.

Click here for resources aimed at supervisors.

Resources

RCOphth Guide to Delivery of the OST Curriculum (2010)

An overview of the OST programme and how the curriculum and examinations are used to assess and teach throughout training. This is a useful resource to understand in detail how ophthalmic specialist training is structured.

OST Introductory Booklet

An introduction to the OST programme, offering guidance about the seven most important things to do in the first month in training.

Guidance on Induction for Ophthalmology

This document offers guidance about what trainees should expect from their induction after joining the training programme and offers an overview of assessment and delivery of the OST programme.

Workplace Based Assessments (WpBAs) Handbook

This handbook guides trainees through how they are assessed against the OST curriculum during their training.

ARCP Guidance

Health Education England (HEE) guidance on the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) process.

Acute Services Training

RCOphth Training Committee guidance setting out the agreed principles for managing acute/emergency ophthalmology during training.

Simulation Training in the UK

Document highlighting the benefits of, and different types of, simulation training ophthalmologists in training should be familiar with.

Cataract Surgery Guidance

Clarification and guidance on cataract surgery competences and assessment - Learning Outcome SS04.

RCOphth Completion/CCT Date Calculator

Excel spreadsheet to facilitate the calculation of CCT dates.

Reflection

Ophthalmology is an immensely diverse branch of medicine. It is scientifically complex, constantly developing and provides opportunities for fulfilling experiences, but also requires doctors to manage uncertainty and the emotional demands of supporting patients and colleagues. Reflecting on this broad range of experiences is essential for professional development, high quality care and personal wellbeing.

Resources on Reflective Practice - Summary

Jointly produced AoMRC, COPMeD, GMC and Medical Schools Council guidance documents for Reflective Practitioners.

Resources on Reflective Practice - Toolkit

Toolkit to accompany the jointly produced AoMRC, COPMeD, GMC and Medical Schools Council guidance documents for Reflective Practitioners.

Resources on Reflective Practice - Guidance

Jointly produced AoMRC, COPMeD, GMC and Medical Schools Council guidance documents for Reflective Practitioners.

Academy Guidance on ePortfolios

AoMRC guidance to help doctors in training, and their supervisors, in considering how to record their reflective practice.

Improving Feedback - Guide For Trainers and Trainees

AoMRC guide on practical information about how trainee self-reflection, feedback from the trainer and trainer self-reflection may improve the performance and value of formative WpBAs.

RCOphth Guidance on Reflective Practice, Escalating Patient Safety Concerns and Unsafe Working Conditions

OTG-led guidance including relevant sources of information, further support and advice for all members about how, when and to whom they should escalate concerns about patient safety and unsafe working conditions.

Practical information

Less Than Full-Time Training (LTFT)

The delivery and organisation of LTFT is the responsibility of the individual HEE local offices / Deaneries. This document contains hints to make the most of LTFT and avoid common pitfalls.

Financial Advice for Ophthalmology Trainees

Guide offering useful information on financial matters, including claiming tax relief in the UK on fees for certain FRCOphth Examinations.

National Inter Deanery Transfer (IDT)

Information on the national IDT programme.

Key training information

We publish key training notices to clarify the requirements for training and templates that will support ophthalmic training. These are reviewed bi-annually to ensure that they remain accurate and relevant. Updates will be cascaded through newsletters, eye-mail and social media channels.

Making skills courses covid-19 safe (2020)

Notice describes steps undertaken to make mandatory skills courses covid-19 safe.

Revised arrangements for TSCs (2018)

Letter confirming that TSCs may be undertaken for periods of up to 12 months.

Continuous cataract complications audit letter

Letter highlighting the curriculum requirement for trainees to maintain a continuous audit of cataract complications from the beginning of their training. This should be read alongside the 'Continuous cataract complications audit synopsis template'.

Continuous cataract complications audit synopsis template

Example of how the continuous cataract complications audit should be presented.

50 consecutive cases cataract audit guidance

It is a curriculum requirement for trainees to present a 50 consecutive cases cataract audit paper (with comparison to national standards) supported by raw data. This document should be read alongside the 'Example model 50 cases cataract audit'.

Example model 50 cases cataract audit

Example of how the 50 consecutive cases cataract audit should be presented.

Research, study, teaching and audit (RSTA) sessions – clarification (2018)

Further clarification regarding the potential impact changing rota could have on training after the introduction of the 2016 Junior Doctor Contract (JDC).

Research, study, teaching and audit (RSTA) sessions (2017)

Clarification regarding the potential impact changing rota could have on training after the introduction of the 2016 Junior Doctor Contract (JDC).

TSCs and Consultant Preparation (2017)

Letter confirming changes to TSC arrangements, now superseded - see July 2018 letter.

Important OST Curriculum changes (2016)

Letter confirming reformatting of the OST Curriculum in 2016.

Cataract Audit requirements (2016)

Letter confirming GMC's approval regarding completion of the mandatory cataract audit within three calendar years of CCT.

Quick Access To...

Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) Curriculum

The OST Curriculum is the foundation of the ophthalmology training programme. It contains the learning outcomes and resources needed to progress within the training programme.

e-Portfolio

The RCOphth e-Portfolio provides trainees and supervisors on the Ophthalmic Specialist Training Programme a system to record progress and facilitate assessment during training.

Certificate of Completion of Training

Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is the route for doctors who have completed a full GMC-approved training programme.

Simulation

As a surgical-based specialty, ophthalmology encompasses a wide range of operations and clinic-based procedures, requiring ophthalmologists to make use of micro-surgical techniques. Simulation training enables trainee ophthalmologists to master these skills before in vivo training.

Find out more