Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future, Part 2: Ophthalmology Continuing Education: Next Steps for Task Force on Ophthalmology Continuing Education

H. Dunbar Hoskins, MD

On this page:

• I. GATHER INFORMATION
  
  
• II. COORDINATE INFORMATION RECEIVED WITH THE OPHTHALMIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING GOAL COMMITTEE TO AVOID DUPLICATION
  
  
• III. ORGANIZE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED INTO A DATABASE FOR ICO FUTURE PLANNING AND DISSEMINATION
  
  
• IV. FROM THE DATABASE IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROJECTS, PRIORITIZE, AND ESTABLISH ESTIMATED COSTS

I. GATHER INFORMATION

(January - August, 2001)

1. Conduct an initial survey of all national ophthalmological societies to ascertain:
   
   
   1. Whether or not the society provides, organizes or sponsors continuing medical education activities or materials.
      
      
   2. Whether or not the nation has a system of providing credit for continuing education participants and/or accrediting continuing medical education (CME) providers.
      
      
   3. Whether or not the society currently has a website.
      
      
   4. The language(s) of instruction for continuing medical education in the country.
      
      
   5. Any specific continuing education needs the society has identified that it would like the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) to consider.
      
      
2. Develop a second survey to those national societies that are involved in continuing medical education to:
   
   
   1. Request the society to send any documentation they produce or use to organize general topics, skills, or competencies required or suggested for ophthalmologists in practice.
      
      
   2. Obtain a listing and description of materials they develop, sponsor, distribute or utilize for the continuing medical education of ophthalmologists, including any self assessment programs.
      
      

II. COORDINATE INFORMATION RECEIVED WITH THE OPHTHALMIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING GOAL COMMITTEE TO AVOID DUPLICATION.

(August - October, 2001)

1. International Ophthalmology
   
   Specific attention should be given to the new Section on International Ophthalmology in the Ophthalmology Basic and Clinical Science Course of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
   
   The new section emphasizes the important role of ophthalmologists in decreasing vision loss and blindness worldwide.

III. ORGANIZE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED INTO A DATABASE FOR ICO FUTURE PLANNING AND DISSEMINATION.

(January - April, 2002)

IV. FROM THE DATABASE IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROJECTS, PRIORITIZE, AND ESTABLISH ESTIMATED COSTS.

(April 2002 ICO meeting agenda item)

September 7, 2000

Next: International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies/International Council of Ophthalmology International Fellowship

Also see:

• Eye Care Guidelines and Recommendations
  
  
• Table of Contents for Vision for the Future