Key Points from OTG committee Meeting 15th July 2016
Eportfolio
A reminder further to the recent Eportfolio emails that trainees have been granted additional time to ensure their current portfolios are up to date. The college have extended the date for the current e-portfolio to close for data entry to Friday 29 July 2016
In regards to migration
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Closure of ARCPs- in order to close any open ARCPs, the College will need to have your outcome form for each corresponding ARCP. If this has not been provided by deanery, registrars
must provide it to the college in order to close open or under review ARCPs.
Any non-associated WpBAs will be migrated on to the ‘Evidence’ tab of the new system, where ‘Outstanding’ (for items requiring registrar’s attention) and ‘Pending’ (items awaiting for approval) options mirroring the functionality of the current system will be available.
Any unsigned forms that are migrated will not be signed in the new system, and registrars will need to be aware that such WpBA requests must be recreated in the new portfolio once it is live and get the new request signed off from the new system.
- Trainees are reminded that assessments must be recorded on paper during the down-time and then transcribed on to the online system after the go-live date. The trainers will then receive a message asking them to log on and validate the transcribed result.
- 2015-16 ARCP results will not be closed until after the move to the new system.
OTG Symposium
Booking is now open for the 7th Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG) Annual Symposium.
The programme has changed from previous years in that it is exclusive to ophthalmologists in training and will focus on exam topics.
It will be held in London at the College on Friday 25th November. Fee remains £49.
Limited to first 60 applicants
https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/events-and-courses/otg-symposium/
College Support for Training Environment
The College recognises that the recent dispute over the junior doctors contract reflects growing concerns about the direction of medical training in the UK. The College is keen to change the philosophy of training in relation to service provision, continuity of training and care. The College has formulated a statement of support and intent on these issues including such features as less emphasis on box ticking in training, timetables and rotas being formulated to ensure a close working training relationship with a single lead clinical supervisor, a flexible approach to research, leadership and education, a growing focus on seeing patients pre and post-operative to understand the patient journey.
The statement from the President will be available on the College website next week.
Study Link
SS13- Remove the eye when indicated
The curriculum committee is keen to confirm what counts as acceptable for this competence.
One cadaveric or simulated enucleation
One patient evisceration
Communication skills
The lay group advisors are keen for feedback from registrars on difficult communications skills scenarios that they feel might be supported by development of simulated communication skills. The intention would be to develop learning resources to support trainees. If registrars wish to share their experience can they please email Vanna Fadda at the college on vanna.fadda@rcophth.ac.uk
Academic Trainees
The college has a new academic subcommittee. The committee has been tasked with obtaining a list of existing and aspiring academic trainees in the college. The aim is to develop a community / forum through which information can be disseminated as much as possible on grants, mentor schemes and training fellowship/award deadlines to help those seeking an academic career path.
Any applicable trainees that haven’t already given their details and wish to be on the list of academic trainees or those interested please send an email to Roly.Megaw@ed.ac.uk
Logbook
Terminology to be used when recording surgery, particularly when complications occur
Registrar’s attention is drawn to the email of 14th July 2016 from Miss Spencer Chair of Training Committee clarifying the college definition of P, PS, A, SJ and takeover rate.
Exam Resources Guide
The OTG has been very actively involved in an Exams Review Group to address a recent drop in College Exam pass rates. OTG is producing new exam guides and FAQ’s will be uploaded to the college website soon.
Heads of school will be informed when a candidate has failed an exam twice in order that timely remedial assistance and guidance may be offered.
Part 1 – It is noted that it is primarily optics where candidates are performing poorly in.
Part 2 – The pass rate has increased from 41% to 70% between the November and June sitting of the part 2 written.
Diploma- This exam is no longer offered by the college
Please note the Part 2 Oral will likely be oversubscribed 14th November 2016 - 18th November 2016 Birmingham. Candidates currently in OST will be given priority but in the event of oversubscription with College oversubscription policy will be followed to admit candidates. Please register your interest early to avoid disappointment.
Blind Registration / CVI Patient Resources
In conjunction with a number of charitable organisations the college has contributed to new written resources for patients at the time of blind registration. They should be available in ophthalmology departments and registrars may wish to draw relevant patient’s attention to these useful booklets.
Reflective Practice
Registrars are reminded to avoid patient identifiable information in reflective practice following a recent case where disclosure of a registrars training portfolio was mandated by the court as evidence due to the patient identifiable nature of the reflection of the significant event reflection.
Developing your Professional Capabilities
Registrar’s attention is drawn to this workshop which has been designed for developing professional capabilities and additional skills useful for being a consultant. It will be chaired by Miss Fiona Spencer and held at the college on 4th October 2016
NUS Extra Card for Trainees
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has now affiliated with the NUS and registrars can apply for a NUS extra card which gives significant national discounts including the ability to apply via another form for a young persons railcard even if over 25!
https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/2016/07/nus-extra-card-now-available-for-trainees/
1) A 1-year NUS extra/ISIC card (£12) can be purchased online at https://cards.nusextra.co.uk/ by choosing RCOphth as your institution. All you need to do is upload a photo; no signatures or stamps are required.
2) A 1-year 16-25 railcard (£30) can be applied for using the attached 'mature student' form. For this, a copy of your NUS/ISIC photo ID, hospital stamp and signature from your College Tutor/TPD will suffice (from my peers who have successfully received railcards).
Booking Courses and Examinations Reminder
When booking events/exams through the website please use the same email address registered for your college account. Error and problems can occur where different emails are used.
From your OTG reps
Oliver Bowes (Chairman) East Anglia
James Laybourne Northern
Mohammad Samir Dowlut Northern Ireland
Lina Osman East Midlands
Ian De Silva West Midlands
James Huxtable North West
Stephenie Tiew Mersey
Mukhtar Bizrah North Thames
Tariq Ayoub North Thames
Kieren Darcy Severn
Nick Edmeades Peninsula
Damien Yeo Wales
Mital Shah Oxford
Alison Penwarden Wessex
David Miller Scotland (West)
Steve Naylor Yorkshire
Su-Yin Koay South Thames
Varo Kirthi South Thames (KSS)
Megan Johnson Scotland (East)