Azeem Mustafa Sher
These are my top tips for arranging an Ophthalmology taster week as a Foundation doctor. Completing a taster week contributes one point towards your Ophthalmology portfolio and the experience can determine whether or not you proceed to apply for an ST1 post in Ophthalmology. Hopefully, by following my advice you can collect more than the one point on offer and improve your chances of gaining a training number.
Arrange your taster week early
This goes without saying but try to arrange your taster week early. If possible, try to arrange this within the first two rotations in FY2 – this ensures you have time to prepare for your ARCP at the end of the year. This also gives your hospital/Trust ample time to arrange cover for the days you will be off. However, most importantly, since the portfolio needs to be submitted around early February, for the 2023 intake the portfolio deadline was in the second week of February, it ensures you can put it in as evidence.
Aim to work in a department with trainees
The benefit of working in a department with trainees is it gives you a better idea of what life is like as a trainee and if the region is suitable for yourself. Trainees can also offer guidance on how to improve your chances of getting into Ophthalmology training be it attending/presenting at conferences or interview preparation.
Get involved in departmental projects
Trainees are always involved in research with audits forming part of their yearly ARCP. Therefore, get speaking to them and see how you can also get involved and potentially contribute. By getting involved in an Ophthalmology audit/QIP it can potentially lead to publication/poster but can also be used for your own ARCP requirements.
Complete EyeSi
As per the 2023 intake Ophthalmology Evidence folder completing at least 4 hours of EyeSi modules contributes one point towards the portfolio score (1). Therefore, if you complete your taster week where there are trainees you can potentially complete these 4 hours during your taster week. Trainee doctors need to complete EyeSi modules as part of their ARCP and they can direct you to the closes EyeSi simulator and the Consultant/Simulation lead who can arrange login details for you.
Complete 10 sessions
For the Ophthalmology specialty links part of the portfolio one point is awarded for attending at least an additional 10 sessions within the Ophthalmology department (1). By completing your taster week early, it gives you ample time to arrange for these sessions to be completed, provided your regular Consultant is happy for you to do this and does not affect your responsibility to your own patients.
Enjoy yourself
Being on a taster week is like being back at medical school since you are not responsible for patient care. This means there is flexibility with how you arrange your taster week, for example you can ask the supervising Consultant if it is possible to attend a subspecialty clinic/theatre session you are interested in or have not attended, and most Consultants will be happy to accommodate you. Lastly, the taster week is there to give you a ‘taste’ of what the career path entails. If you find the training path is different from your expectations, ask the trainees/Consultants about support available and their expectations of training.
The taster week should be an enjoyable experience and hopefully you can maximise portfolio points by following the points above. It is important to get a Consultant letter confirming your taster week/evidence of the additional sessions attended. However, you may realise that Ophthalmology training is not for you and that is perfectly fine too!
References
- https://severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/show/oph-st1-23/evidence-folder-lib