Ophthalmic Education:

ICO Symposia on Invigorating Ophthalmic Education Worldwide

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• ICO organizes symposia to invigorate ophthalmic education
  
  
• XXIV Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology
  
  
• Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmology
  
  
• European Society of Ophthalmology
  
  
• Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

ICO organizes symposia to invigorate ophthalmic education

To share plans for the International Council of Ophthalmology's educational initiatives and obtain wide input into the proposals before implemention, the ICO organized symposia on "Invigorating Ophthalmic Education Worldwide" at the meetings of four supranational ophthalmologic societies in 2003.

XXIV Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology

In March 2003, the ICO symposium on "Invigorating Ophthalmic Education Worldwide" was presented in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the XXIV Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology.

The symposium was coordinated by ICO Education Director and Vice President Mark O. M. Tso, MD.

The four international Task Forces were represented by Morton F. Goldberg, MD (Ophthalmic Specialist and Subspecialist), Cristian Luco, MD (Para-Ophthalmic Vision Specialists), Richard K. Parrish, MD (Medical Student), and H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., MD (Ophthalmology Continuing Education). The preliminary results of the Task Forces were presented.

ICO Basic and Clinical Assessments and International Guidelines

In addition in the symposium, Professor Peter Watson presented the "ICO Assessment Tests: a Tool to Evaluate Resident Education," and Richard L. Abbott, MD, discussed the "ICO International Clinical Guidelines: An Education Instrument of Continuing Medical Education."

Bruce E. Spivey, MD, Secretary-General of the ICO, concluded the symposium by presenting the "Role of ICO in Eye Care Worldwide."

In addition, the Panel Members of the ICO symposium met with the leadership of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology in a breakfast meeting to share and seek cooperative opportunities between PAAO and ICO.

Emanuel Miranda Rivera, MD, nominated for ICO Golden Apple Award

At the symposium, Rubens Belfort Jr., MD, President of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, nominated Emanuel Miranda Rivera, MD, as the ICO Golden Apple Award recipient for the best teacher in clinical ophthalmology in the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology 2003.

Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmology

At the VIIth International Congress of the Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmology, held in Tunisia, Africa on May 22 - 25, 2003, the ICO presented the symposium "Invigorating Ophthalmic Education Worldwide" on May 24, 2003.

Dr. Mark Tso chaired the session. The four international Task Forces were represented by Michael Wagoner, MD, S. Selvarajah, FRCS, FRCOphth, FACS, and Akef El-Maghraby, MD. Professor Selvarajah presented the reports of two Task Forces, mainly Global Need of Para-Ophthalmic Vision Specialists and the Development of the Global Ophthalmic Continuing Education.

In addition, Pinar Aydin, MD, of Turkey, presented the "ICO Assessment Tests: A Tool to Evaluate Resident Education" and ICO President G. O. H. Naumann, MD, discussed: "IFOS/ICO Fellowship: A Commitment to Improve Ophthalmic Education Worldwide."

Dr. Bruce Spivey, Secretary General ICO, again summarized the role of ICO in eye care worldwide.

Nabil Messiha, MD nominated for ICO Golden Apple Award

Akef El-Maghraby, MD, President of the Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmology, nominated Nabil Messiha, MD, Director of Medical Education, Chief of Ophthalmology Department at the Maghraby Eye and Ear Hospital, in Saudi Arabia, for the ICO Golden Apple Award.

Education in the Arab-African region

An exciting breakfast meeting took place between the leadership of the Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmology and the panel speakers of the ICO symposium.

An urgent need for ophthalmic educational programs in the Arab-Africa region was discussed and a proposal to establish basic and qualifying written and oral examinations for eye specialists was presented for the consideration of ICO.

Officers and speakers of the ICO appreciated the hospitality and generosity of the Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmology and their gracious reception and vigorous input into our educational program.

European Society of Ophthalmology

At the 14th Congress of the European Society of Ophthalmology held in Madrid, Spain, on June 7-12, 2003, the ICO also presented the symposium "Invigoration Ophthalmic Education Worldwide."

Mark Tso, MD, chaired the session and the four ICO Task Forces were presented by Raphael Barraquer, MD, S. Selvarajah, FRCS, FRCOphth, FACS, and Dr. Tso.

In addition Pinar Aydin, MD, presented the "ICO Assessment Tests: A Tool to Evaluate Resident Education," and Balder Gloor, MD, discussed the "IFOS/ICO Fellowship Program: A Commitment to Improve Eye Care Worldwide."

G. O.H. Naumann, MD, President of the ICO, concluded the symposium discussing the role of ICO in eye care education worldwide.

The leadership of the European Society of Ophthalmology also met with the panel speakers of ICO and provided their input on the ICO educational efforts.

Alan Bird nominated for ICO Golden Apple Award

Professor Alan Bird of London was nominated by the Council of the European Society of Ophthalmology as the Awardee of the ICO Golden Apple Award for the best teacher in clinical ophthalmology in Europe.

Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

The ICO hosted the last of the series of symposia on November 30, 2003 at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in Bangkok, Thailand.

Next: Resident and Specialist Education

Also see: Medical Student Education