SAN FRANCISCO – Ophthalmologists preparing themselves for the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) 2006 Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) examination got a helping hand from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in late July.
More than 130 ophthalmologists, including some who weren’t required to take the exam this year, attended the Academy’s three-day Exam Review Course in Chicago.
“The interactive course sessions were designed to provide a practical and comprehensive review of clinically relevant ophthalmic knowledge and information for practicing ophthalmologists interested in improving the quality of patient care,” saidRichard L. Abbott, MD, course director. “The Academy felt a responsibility to help ophthalmologists prepare for this important and required examination for Maintenance of Board Certification.”
The resounding success of the course was echoed in the positive responses from attendees. “These were directed toward preparation for this exam in concise format,” said Hugh Cooper, MD, time-limited certificate holder. “I like the fact that the physicians teaching the course are members of the POC and that the study guide places limits on what to study for the test,” said another meeting attendee. “This course is the Academy’s best-kept secret. Similar to the old regional updates, it was an excellent, surprisingly comprehensive review in one weekend,” said Thomas Mattingly, MD, non time-limited certificate holder.
Course content, which covered all nine of the required Practice Emphasis Areas (PEAs), as well as the Comprehensive and Core material, was derived from the Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC), which is the curriculum used by the ABO to create exam questions.
Instruction format emphasized a variety of educational techniques, and was taught by a faculty of outstanding clinicians who also served on the POC Panels that developed the original curriculum. An interactive format accommodating different learning styles was used and included multiple choice questions.
Course attendees received bound photocopies of the slides and questions presented during the course. The course cost $875 for a two-day session and $1,000 for a three-day session. Registration information for the 2007 course will be available soon. Please go to www.aao.org/review_course for more information.
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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.
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