ICO International Basic Science and Clinical Sciences Assessments for Ophthalmologists:

More News of the Assessments

Headlines:

• Advisory Committee supports Assessments and Fellowships
  
  
• Greater visibility for Basic and Clinical Assessments
  
  
• Assessments available in Russian
  
  
• Awards for ICO International Assessments
  
  
• Exemptions allowed for Assessments

(Also see: more recent news of the Assessments)

Advisory Committee supports ICO Assessments and Fellowships

Meeting in 2003 in New Delhi, the Advisory Committee to the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) expressed strong support for both the ICO International Basic and Clinical Assessments and the IFOS/ICO International Fellowship.

Chaired by H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., MD, the Advisory Committee recommended, and the Council agreed, that individuals who have passed the Basic and Clinical Science Assessments should be given preference in consideration for IFOS/ICO International Fellowships.

The Committee appointed an ad hoc committee to study what more could be done to make it possible for ophthalmologists who cannot afford the fees to take the Assessments.

Greater visibility for Basic and Clinical Assessments

The Advisory Committee also recommended that the ICO do more to increase visibility of the Assessments and understanding of their goals among ophthalmology residency programs directors, national examining boards and ophthalmologists around the world.

The Committee emphasized how valuable the Assessments could be as an integral part of ophthalmology residency training.

Assessments available in Russian

Assessments Director Peter Watson reported to the Council in New Delhi that the Assessments would be offered in Russian for the first time in 2003, in addition to English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

Awards for ICO International Assessments

At the opening ceremonies of the International Congress of Ophthalmology in Sydney, Australia, in April 2002, ICO Prizes were awarded to individuals who achieved the highest marks on the International Basic and Clinical Science Assessments in 2001:

• Dr. Islam Hamdi from Egypt for the Basic Science Assessment (accepted by his father)
  
  
• Dr. Ramin Salouti from Iran for the Clinical Sciences Assessment.

Exemptions allowed for Assessments

The Assessments are recognised for exemption from parts of the examinations held by several national examination bodies and colleges.

The Clinical Sciences Assessment is offered to medical practitioners who have passed the complete Basic Science Assessment (including Optics and Refraction) or an examination of similar standard recognised by the ICO.

Next: Contact Information for the ICO International Basic and Clinical Assessments

Also see:

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