Setting the standard

  The European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) and the ESCRS are collaborating on an examination to certify expertise within the cataract and refractive subspecialty. The examination is being developed by the ESCRS and will be accredited by the EBO. Successful candidates will earn the post-nominal title of “FEBOS-CR” (Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology Subspecialty diploma for Cataract and Refractive surgery). The first examination will be held on Friday, 6 October 2017, prior to the XXXV Congress of the ESCRS in Lisbon, Portugal. This examination is targeted at surgeons with a strong theoretical understanding as well as advanced surgical experience. The target group will have performed at least 400 cataract surgeries without supervision, including a proportion of complex surgeries. “This examination confirms the ongoing commitment of the ESCRS to leading the development of valuable and practical education for the cataract and refractive surgery subspecialty,” said Prof David Spalton, ESCRS President. “This examination is part of the range of subspecialty diplomas being rolled out by the EBO. This is definitely not a 'tick box' exercise," added Prof Spalton. "The diploma will certify that the candidate has attained a high standard of excellence – patients will perceive them as experts in the field. Their knowledge and expertise will be recognised too by their peers and will consequently attract a practice of challenging cases,” he said. Prof Marie-José Tassignon, who is the Chair of the ESCRS Examination Board, a group set up specifically to develop the examination, said candidates for this exam will have extensive surgical experience, as well as in-depth knowledge of the cataract and refractive subspecialty. “This goes beyond a licence to practise or a certificate of competency,” said 
Prof Tassignon. Prof Wagih Aclimandos, Chair of the EBO Subspecialty Committee, said the EBO has an established history of certifying ophthalmologists with the comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma. "This has harmonised the level of knowledge expected of ophthalmologists across Europe who hold this certification. New subspecialty examinations extend this to certify the excellence of experienced ophthalmologists within each subspecialty,” said Prof Aclimandos. Those wishing to take the examination will face an in-depth screening process. In addition to submitting 400 logged surgeries (including complex cases) for the application process, they will be asked for a letter of recommendation signed by their head of department/director of their institution, as well as a brief overview of their surgical and teaching experience and their publications history. Two surgical videos are also required: one of a standard surgery and one of their most complicated cases (which they will discuss during the examination). The Examination Board will review applications and invite those accepted to take a two-part exam: • MCQ test covering a broad and deep spectrum of issues in cataract and refractive surgery • Viva voce (oral) examination, which will have four parts: - Discussion of a surgical video they submit - Discussion of a surgical case they have not seen before - Discussion of a case study presented to them by the examiner - Critical evaluation of a key paper The curriculum is now available to candidates from the EBO or ESCRS websites: ebo-online.org/newsite/home.asp, www.escrs.org Those interested in taking the examination can email 
education@escrs.org for more details, and watch out for updates on the EBO and ESCRS websites. KEY DATES • 19 December 2016: Process opened • 10 March 2017: All materials submitted by candidates • 30 May 2017: Confirmation for eligible candidates 
to sit the exam • 30 June 2017: Candidates officially confirm intent to sit exam, and pay the exam fee (€650) • 6 October 2017: Date of first exam in Lisbon

Tags: EBO, ESCRS, EXAM