NEWS

• Curriculum review commences for Ophthalmology Resident Training Program, Cambodia

  [ 2015-02-01 18:28:02 ]

  Posted by Louise on Thursday, 11 April 2013 in General

  http://www.ranzco.edu/index.php/communications/blog/entry/curriculum-review-commences-for-ophthalmology-resident-training-program-cambodia-1

  

  've just returned from an exciting and very productive week (8-11 April) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This trip was an in-country scoping visit as part of the Global Consortium, East Asia Vision Program.

  I visited three training hospitals and met with key stakeholders to discuss the Ophthalmology Residency Training (ORT) program curriculum, and the process for conducting a review of that curriculum.

  I would like to share with you some highlights of my trip.

  I met with Drs Meng, Seng and Do Seiha (you can see them in the photo above) and we discussed the National Program for Eye Health (NPEH) at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital. Following their advice, it was agreed that the curriculum review process will commence with an initial desk review by a group of local ophthalmologists, to be assembled by the NPEH. The NPEH will provide us with a revised draft early in May, which will then be further reviewed by a group of RANZCO Fellows.

  An in-country curriculum review workshop is planned for 11 and 12 June, and will involve local ophthalmologists and RANZCO Fellows. Dr Meng (NPEH) will co-facilitate the workshop with RANZCO Fellow Dr Cathy Green –who is very experienced in education and curriculum reviews. She is also a Board member, as well as the Chair of Ophthalmic Sciences and Ophthalmic Basic Competencies and Knowledge.

  Visiting the Ang Duong Hospital and meeting with Drs Kong Piseth, Mar Amarin and Sun Sarin (ORT) program lecturers), was a great way to learn more about the ORT, and to hear some of their opinions about the curriculum. Dr Sarin remarked that this review of the ORT curriculum is very timely and appropriate, since it was drafted prior to the development of Cambodia's National Strategic Plan for Blindness Prevention and Control.

  I was fortunate enough to also meet with all 11 of the current ORT Trainees, as well as a recent ORT graduate, Dr Piseth Dalin Chea.

  My meeting with Dr Bounchan Youttiroung, Vice Dean of University of Health Sciences (UHS) in Phnom Penh was very positive. He is very keen for RANZCO to work with the NPEH on the curriculum review, as well as in the areas of assessment, accreditation and continuing medical education – in line with the UHS strategic focus.

  I also had the chance to meet with The Fred Hollows Foundation in-country team (Sophavid and Sam Ath), as well as Leng from the Eye Care Foundation – to discuss their experiences in coordinating and supporting the ORT.

  Many RANZCO Fellows are already involved in the ORT program through visiting lectures and exams. Some have agreed to participate in the curriculum review process – pending funding approval.