A regional course to update the practicing specialist

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Practicing ophthalmologists not affiliated with medical centers require updated training.
• Existing postgraduate courses may not systematically address fundamental knowledge and skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a comprehensive continuing education course in ophthalmology.
• To provide practicing specialists with new information and essential skills.
• To systematically update basic ophthalmology knowledge and skills for improved healthcare delivery.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration between four medical centers to design the course curriculum.
• An 8-session, 2-day course format scheduled over a two-year cycle.
• Sessions held on Fridays and Saturdays to minimize practice disruption (4 days/year).

Main Results:

• The course offers a structured approach to updating ophthalmology knowledge and skills.
• It targets specialists outside of academic medical centers.
• The format is designed for minimal impact on clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• This postgraduate course provides a systematic update in ophthalmology.
• It aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery by improving specialist knowledge and skills.
• The flexible scheduling makes advanced training accessible to busy practitioners.