MASTER OF MEDICINE IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Course Design

The design of this curriculum is student centred and problem based.  The courses are as much as possible integrated, community oriented and systematically arranged. 

Philosophy of the program

The discipline of ophthalmology is highly specialized and is key in health care provision. The department of ophthalmology is committed to training ophthalmologists of an international standard with a high level of knowledge, advanced clinical skills and attitudes in order to provide the best evidence-based patient care. About 90% of the world's 285 million people with visual impairment, of which 39 million are blind, live in developing countries (2010 WHO estimates). The ophthalmologist to population ratio in Kenya is 1:420,000 nationally but as low as 1:3,000,000 in rural areas (MOH 2014 data). This is far below the WHO recommended ratio of 1:250,000.

 

Rationale

The discipline of ophthalmology is highly dynamic and new technological innovations are constantly being developed to manage various ocular disorders. It is therefore pertinent to keep the training of ophthalmologists relevant in this changing arena hence the need to revise this curriculum to improve the training. In addition, the University of Nairobi quality management system requires curriculum review every five years. The training is geared to meet the objectives of the Kenya Government National Health Sector Strategic Plan and the Kenya Vision 2030 of devolved Health Specialist services to the Counties. The curriculum for M.Med ophthalmology has been revised to be in harmony with regionally and internationally recognized curricula. In particular, the assessment and examination methods have been revised in order to be more objective. Stakeholders were consulted their feedback was supportive of the learning outcomes.

Goal of the program

The Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology aims to provide the knowledge, skills and competencies that will transform the learner in to a high calibre specialist who shall be involved provision of eye care of an international standard with a high level of knowledge and advanced clinical skills.

Course Structure

The duration of the Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology course shall be three academic years. 

The structure of this curriculum is based on three levels of knowledge, which spiral from one to the other:

The first level of basic sciences (e.g. anatomy, physiology, optics, pharmacology, pathology and microbiology related to the eye) is required for understanding the later courses in the programme.

The next level is applied pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, community eye health and research methodology which lead to the level of clinical ophthalmology. This final level comprises mostly surgical and clinical courses during which the practical aspects of the programme are undertaken to bring out the skills required.  This structure provides for a systematic integration of theory and practice.

It should be noted that levels referred to are levels of knowledge and do not necessarily correspond to a particular term or academic year of study.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the course shall be divided into two parts:

a)    Part I:  In Part I of the course basic visual sciences will be taught through formal lectures and tutorials.  The students will be expected to familiarise themselves with basic diagnostic techniques, using various ophthalmic equipment.  They will be in charge of clerking patients and assisting in various surgical procedures.  They will also be expected to perform a certain number of minor surgical cases by themselves and assist in other major surgical procedures.  A booklet indicating various procedures to be covered  will be given to every student.

b)    Part II:  In Part II of the course the trainees will be expected to have a good theoretical background of the clinical and surgical ophthalmology, which will be taught in lectures, tutorial and seminars.  This part of the course will however stress on clinical work in the wards, in regular consultants clinics and supervised outreach activities.  The students will be expected to perform a number of extra-ocular and intra-ocular operations.  A booklet indicating various procedures to be covered will be given to every student.  The student will be expected to implement self-directed learning, by developing a self-responsible attitude towards clinical work both in the wards and in the clinics.  They will also be expected to teach their juniors including undergraduate medical students and paramedical trainees. 

c)     Elective Terms:  Every student shall spend an elective term period of 8 weeks each during the 2nd and 3rd year of the course.  This period is meant to expose the student to community ophthalmology and give him/her an insight into the function of a provincial ophthalmologist in performing, organising and supervising ophthalmic clinical services.  It will also give the student an opportunity to observe and learn the administrative pattern involved in community ophthalmology.

d)    Research Project: During the 2nd and 3rd academic year students shall carry out individual research on a selected topic in ophthalmology under the guidance of at least two supervisors appointed by the department and present the same as a written thesis after approval by the department. Research proposals shall be presented to the department and an appropriate ethics committee as required by the Faculty of Medicine. The written thesis shall be presented not later than three months prior to the final examinations.

e)    Outreach activities: Throughout the course the students will be expected to fully participate in the various outreach activities organized by the department for the purpose of enhancing clinical skills and exposure to community ophthalmology.