ICO International Basic Science and Clinical Sciences Assessments for Ophthalmologists:

Introduction and News of the ICO Basic and Clinical Assessments

On this page:

• 2009 Assessments on April 2
  
  
• New Assessments office
  
  
• Resources to help prepare for the Assessments
  
  
• Exams demonstrate a high standard of knowledge
  
  
• Available in multiple languages
  
  
• To learn more and apply

• Results of ICO Assessments are mailed in June
  
  
• IFOS/ICO Fellowship preference for applicants who have passed Assessments
  
  
• Fees and applications
  
  
• Objectives of the Assessments
  
  
• Assessment of knowledge rather than competence
  
  
• Effect on training programme
  
  
• Effect on promotion
  
  
• Certification
  
  
• Results

(Also see: More News of the Assessments)

2009 Assessments on April 2

Each year the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) offers assessment examinations throughout the world to help ophthalmologists evaluate their knowledge in the basic science and clinical sciences related to ophthalmology.

In 2009, the International Basic Science Assessment for Ophthalmologists and International Clinical Sciences Assessment will be offered on April 2. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2009.

The ICO has named David Taylor, FRCOphth, FRCPCH, DSc (Med), take over for Assessments founder Peter Watson, FRCS, FRCPCH, FRCOphth, who has led the development of the exams since 1995.

Since then,15,433 candidates have taken ICO Basic and Clinical Assessments. In 2008, more than 2000 candidates enrolled for the Assessments at 92 test centers in 61 countries.

New Assessments office

For more information, see below and the sections of the Eye Site on Basic Science Assessment and the Clinical Sciences Assessment.

For additional details and application forms, please contact:

The Examination Office
International Council of Ophthalmology
11-43 Bath Street
London EC1V 9EL
England, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7608 6949
Fax: +44 (0)20 7608 6947
E-mail: assess@icoph.org

Please note that the application forms cannot be sent to candidates or returned by email or fax. Only original documents will be accepted.

Resources to help prepare for the Assessments

Now available for download from the ICO Web site are lists of books, Web sites and courses that may be particularly helpful in preparing for both the Basic and Clinical Assessment:

• Basic Science Assessment Resource List: (www.icoph.org/pdf/ICOBasicScienceResources.pdf)
  
  
• Clinical Sciences Assessment Resource List: (www.icoph.org/pdf/ICOClinicalSciencesResources.pdf).

Exams demonstrate a high standard of knowledge

The Assessments are the only worldwide medical specialty examinations. They are independent and free of any outside influence and can be taken in the candidate's own country.

The questions are prepared by an international group of examiners chaired by Peter G. Watson (England) and set at the same standard as the highest board and qualifying examinations anywhere.

Successful passage is recognized by a certificate that is now universally acknowledged to show that the holder has achieved a very high standard of theoretical knowledge.

Available in multiple languages

The Basic Science Assessment is conducted in English but if there is sufficent demand, the questions can be translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish or Russian.

The Clinical Sciences Assessment is only conducted in English.

Results of ICO Assessments are mailed in June

Results of the ICO Basic Science Assessment and Clinical Sciences Assessment are mailed to candidates each June.

Please do not contact the Assessments Office for results.

The Chairman of the Assessments Committee will send each candidate a letter and analysis sheet. Results are confidential and will not be issued by e-mail, fax or telephone.

IFOS/ICO Fellowship preference for applicants who have passed Assessments

Applicants for IFOS/ICO International Fellowships who have passed the International Basic and Clinical Assessments will be given preference in consideration for Fellowships, according to Balder Gloor, MD, Fellowship Director.

The Policies for the Fellowships have been modified to reflect this preference.

Fees and applications

The fees for the Assessments in 2009 are:

Complete Basic Science, including Optics and Refraction (Parts I and II): 525 Swiss francs or 506 US dollars

Basic Science without Optics and Refraction (Part I only): 470 Swiss francs or 452 US dollars

Optics and Refraction only (Part II): 290 Swiss francs or 280 US dollars

Clinical Sciences: 705 Swiss francs or 679 US dollars

No refund is given to candidates who enroll for both papers but only complete part of the Assessment.

In some centres Co-ordinators are prepared to:

Candidates wishing to withdraw their applications must do so in writing. For withdrawals received before the closing date (January 31), a full fee refund is given (less a small charge for administration).

No refunds will be allowed for candidates who fail to attend the Assessment or who withdraw after the closing date.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. No candidate will be allowed to take the Assessment unless an application form and fee has been received.

Objectives of the Assessments

The objectives of the ICO's Assessments are to promote the excellence of eye care worldwide by encouraging individuals to acquire and maintain the highest standard of practice of ophthalmology. To this end, the Council provides a mechanism by which individuals can assess their theoretical knowledge related to ophthalmology.

The Clinical Sciences Assessment is designed to discover whether candidates have acquired the breadth and depth of knowledge of the clinical sciences related to ophthalmology to enable them to recognise and treat the diseases of the eye with which they will come in contact in day to day practice.

Assessment of knowledge rather than competence

These Assessments will be of theoretical knowledge only and cannot be used as an indication of competence or technical ability.

The Assessments do not verify training, test competence or reflect the needs and variation of diseases found in different countries. Therefore they are not intended for individual certification.

The work of an ophthalmologist varies so much in different regions and countries that it is necessary for each country or institution concerned to conduct a further test of competence according to local needs and requirements before their accreditation.

Many countries have well developed examination systems to assess the competence of their trainees and to fulfill the requirements of the regulating bodies of that country in relation to the practice of medicine.

However, many smaller countries and institutions do not have the structure, facilities or staff to establish such a system.

These countries and institutions have welcomed the opportunity for their trainees to be tested in the theoretical aspects of ophthalmology to a recognised high standard so that they can concentrate their resources on assessing the practical competence of the candidate.

Effect on training programme

The existence of an international test provides the possibility for eye departments with residents in training, or individual doctors, to assess their performance in relation to a uniform standard.

Effect on promotion

Heads of eye departments throughout the world have great difficulty in deciding on the level of competence and knowledge of a particular candidate applying for training in ophthalmology, or in promotion from one post to another.

The acquisition of this qualification will indicate the level of theoretical knowledge of the candidate in relation to a uniform standard. This can be of particular importance if a candidate is moving from one country to another to undertake further training.

Certification

A certificate will be given to those who have passed the Assessment, which will indicate that they have a very high standard of knowledge in the sciences related to clinical ophthalmology.

It is recognised that some candidates have not taken, or have failed, the Optics and Refraction section of the Basic Science Assessment, but have reached a stage in their training when it is appropriate to take the Clinical Sciences Assessment. It is essential to have passed the complete Basic Science Assessment to obtain a certificate in the Clinical Sciences Assessment.

Therefore, candidates may take or retake the Optics and Refraction section of the Basic Science Assessment on the same day as the Clinical Sciences Assessment but at a different time.

Note: A separate application form will be required for candidates taking just the Optics and Refraction section.

Results of ICO Assessments

Results of the ICO Basic Science Assessment and Clinical Sciences Assessment will be mailed to candidates in June.

The Chairman of the Assessments Committee will send each candidate a letter and analysis sheet. Results are confidential and will not be issued by e-mail, fax or telephone.

As this is an International Assessment, it takes time for all the papers to be returned for scoring. For this reason the results are not produced immediately.

For candidates who enroll direct to the Examination Office, detailed results are sent by air mail to their home addresses, as given on the application forms.

For candidates who are part of a group booking from a Co-ordinator the result envelopes are sent by courier in a package direct to the Co-ordinator for distribution.

By order of the International Council, results from other centres will not be released and will remain confidential.

Please do not contact the Assessments Office for results.

Next: More News of the Assessments

Also see:

• ICO International Basic Science Assessment for Ophthalmologists
  
  
• ICO International Clinical Sciences Assessment for Ophthalmologists