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The fellowship began in January 2000, in collaboration with Sir Ratan Tata Trust. The first phase of the course lasted 3 years, during which nearly 116 ophthalmologists from across the country underwent supervised training in cataract surgery. Based on several suggestions received from the students and our experience with the programme over this period of time, modifications have been made in the structure and content of the fellowship. The second phase commenced in April 2003.
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Phase III of the Sir Ratan Tata community ophthalmology fellowship has commenced from the 1st of August 2008.
The fellowship program has 3 separate components:
A) COMPREHENSIVE MICROSURGICAL CATARACT TRAINING PROGRAM.
Every 2 months, 10 new candidates will be selected for the programme.
Duration: 2 months |
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Wet lab hands on preparation. |
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Supervised guidance in SICS (Blumenthal technique) and Phacoemulsification. |
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Observing the senior surgeons perform surgeries |
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Interactive lectures with surgeons perform surgeries. |
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Augmentation of OPD skills e.g., Gonioscopy and Indirect Ophthalmoscopy. |
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Enhanced surgical training in virtual reality model |
| The Anterior Segement fellowships involved clinical and surgical exposure in their respective specialities along with cataract surgeries - Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS), starling 4-6 months into the training and phaco emulsification surgeries (15-25 in numbers) towards the end of their program. |
B) PARAMEDICAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Duration: 2 weeks
Candidates undergoing the SRT fellowship at Sankara Nethralaya are invited to bring their paramedics over for training in OT techniques. This program will involve :
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Instruction course in operation theatre aseptic measures |
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Observation and supervised assistance in operation theatre |
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Instrument maintenance / settings |
C) TRAINING FOR TRAINERS (TOT)
Duration: 1-6 months
Objective: To replicate the STRF in other institutes in india (so that candidates across the country will benefit from cataract surgical training)
3-6 candidates will be trained per year belong to Eye care centers involved in
Community outreach programs
Candidate should be well versed in cataract surgery inc.phacoemulsification
Program will include:
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Introduction to SN protocol and functioning |
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Interaction with Senior Consultants (lectures and observation) |
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Operating on patients and the virtual reality model for surgical enhancement |
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Experience in training candidates for the phaco fellowship program. |
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Logistics support in planning, formulating and implementing similar training program |
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Biannual follow up visits from SN to institutes involved in training |
| The Programme takes place at the Jaslok community Ophthalmic centre of Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. |
Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Centre:
Located in the heart of the city of Chennai, it caters to the socio-economically backward classes of India. All patients seen here are treated free of cost.
This is a 75-bedded hospital with 5 operating theatres equipped with state of the art machinery. Nearly 10,000 surgeries are done here annually. The OPD is also well equipped with slit lamps, indirect ophthalmoscopes and digital biometry recording facilities etc. Patients undergo a detailed physical examination in addition to the ocular exam. Those fit for surgery are operated upon the following day. The next morning the patient is discharged along with a complete course of medication, dark protective glasses, eye shield and tape. Post operative instructions are clearly explained by the doctor, nurses and camp volunteers, apart from playing a video clipping of the do’s and don’ts .
Regular post op camps are conducted where the ophthalmologist goes back to the campsite to evaluate patients thereby reducing risk of dropouts. This helps enhance the patient care, which is the mainstay of the hospital’s policy.
Faculty:
There is a team of 54 cataract surgeons, headed by Dr. Prema Padmanabhan.
Accomodation:
Residential accommodation will be provided at nominal cost to those who are selected subject to availability. While allotting accommodation preference will be given to out station candidates. |
Leave:
During the 2 month period candidates are not allowed to take any leave / exams.
Stipend:
Candidates admitted to the course shall be eligible for a stipend of Rs. 5200 p.m.
Mode of selection:
Advertisements appear in the in-house magazine and the hospital website. Circulars are sent to most of the government hospitals and to some charitable organizations a month prior to the start of a new session.
Selection is purely based on merit.
The applicants undergo a multiple choice question test related to cataract surgery and ophthalmic basics. Short listed candidates are interviewed by our senior faculty. Usually results are announced the same evening .The selection process is held in the third / forth week of every alternate month. Sessions begin in April, June, August, October, December and February. |
Selection criteria:
Degree/Diploma holder in ophthalmology
Candidates employed elsewhere should produce a NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE from the employer at the time of the interview and have the relevant certificates in the original.
Next Interview Date for Ratan Tata Fellowship 28th January 2010.
Address of communication:
The Academic Officer
C.U.Shah Ophthalmic Postgraduate Training Centre,
Medical Research Foundation,
18 College Road,
Chennai- 600 006.
Email : nsk@snmail.org
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