Ophthalmology Pathway Introduction Sites and Personnel Goals and Objectives Description of Pathway Pathway Summary Table Required Rotation In Ophthalmology Textbooks and Learning Resources Evaluation

Introduction

The Department of Ophthalmology offers a senior year discipline-based pathway which began in academic year 1997-98. The Ophthalmology Discipline-Based Pathway provides basic experience in Ophthalmology, with additional exposure to various subspecialties of Ophthalmology. Because Ophthalmology is a field that touches almost all of medicine, students will be encouraged to diversity their course selection. Required courses will include the Internal Medicine and Neurology courses which are essential for practice of medicine in different settings. Hospital-based, clinic-based, and urgent-care courses are encouraged, as is exposure to both pediatric and geriatric practices.

The student should take no more than two courses in ophthalmology; the residency in ophthalmology will amply supply training in that direction. Rather, the student is encouraged to explore all other fields of medicine since many interface with Ophthalmology.

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Pathway Director:
Drexel University College of Medicine
Polly Henderson, M.D.
219 N. Broad Street, 3rd floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: 215-762-5618
Fax: 215-762-5600 main fax
Fax: 215-762-5601 alt fax
phenders01@drexelmed.edu

Coordinator: TBN
Drexel University College of Medicine
219 N. Broad Street, 3rd floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: 215-762-3937
Fax: 215-762-5600
e-mail: 

OPHTHALMOLOGY TEACHING SITES

The Ophthalmology course in the discipline-based pathway will be available at various locations, including Hahnemann and other practices, and will be coordinated through the Department of Ophthalmology.

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Click here for a summary table of the Ophthalmology Pathway.

Goals And Objectives

The primary goal of the Ophthalmology Department's senior year discipline-based pathway is to provide a framework for students to structure their senior year in preparation for a future career in Ophthalmology. Students choosing to go into Ophthalmology participate in an early match in their senior year, and then do an internship of their choice before entering their Ophthalmology residency for a three year training program. Ophthalmology is a far-ranging discipline in which the practitioner sees young and old patients with both systemic and localized diseases, as well as patients with conditions necessitating surgery. Therefore, the Department of Ophthalmology encourages students to take electives that will expose them to the many and varied conditions that they will be encountering in caring for future patients.

The pathway includes three required courses and six electives. Medicine and Neurology must be taken at "home," and all other courses may be taken at "home" or "away" sites. No more than three (3) elective courses may be taken at "away" sites by School of Medicine regulation.

The required subinternship in Medicine, and the Neurology course are University graduation requirements, and are described elsewhere in detail. The Ophthalmology required rotation should be taken early in the year, because Ophthalmology has an early match and the student may require some acquaintance with the field in order to make an informed choice of professions, as well as for letters of recommendation.

The "Recommended Elective" menu consists of seven course options, of which the student must select two.

Anesthesia is a discipline which is closely allied to Ophthalmology. The student should be exposed to the techniques of intravenous sedation, regional anesthesia, and general anesthesia. The rotation should provide the student with extensive exposure to airway management and clinical pharmacology.

Dermatology is very useful in the practice of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists identify and manage eyelid skin tumors, and use lasers for skin lesions. Perhaps more importantly, there is an overlap in the diseases that affect the eye and the skin, and it is important for the ophthalmologist to be familiar with the skin manifestations of these diseases.

Infectious Diseases is a medical subspecialty which will familiarize the student with the treatment of sepsis, acute and chronic infections, and surgical infections. The student will become familiar with the use of antibiotics, as well.

Otolaryngology is a rotation where the student should learn to do a proper head and neck examination, and become familiar with complaints and conditions relating to the ears and sinuses, both of which have considerable overlap with the eye.

Rheumatology is a field of medicine wherein the diseases often involve the eye. A familiarity with rheumatologic diseases will greatly enhance the student's understanding of related eye diseases.

Endocrinology is a field of medicine wherein the student will become familiar with diseases that also often affect the eye. A familiarity with endocrinologic diseases will greatly enhance the students understanding of related eye diseases.

Radiology is a rotation where the student will become familiar with reading Cat Scans and MRIs as well as plain films. Ability to read and interpret these studies will be very helpful in future ophthalmic training.

Required Rotation In Ophthalmology
This is a four week course that should familiarize the student with the broad scope of ophthalmic practice, both medical and surgical. The student should become familiar with ophthalmic terms and common eye diseases, as well as with eye findings in systemic diseases.

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There are excellent texts on reserve in the various libraries, and students who rotate may also choose to borrow from the pathway director a basic text published by the Academy of Ophthalmology. Students are given the option to buy a book of common ophthalmic problems presented in a case study format and which are discussed during the rotation.

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Evaluation Of Student Performance
Each student will be evaluated by the attendings with whom the student spends the most time during the elective. The pathway Director will review and sign all evaluations.

All students are required to create a presentation on a subject of their choice in ophthalmology or an interesting case.

Evaluation Of Pathway
At the conclusion of the ophthalmology rotation, all students are required to complete a final evaluation assessing the quality of their experience. These critiques will be shared with the ophthalmic faculty and will help to revise the rotation as needed. Students will also be asked at the end of the year to evaluate the pathway and rotations.

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