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department of ophthalmology

Residency Program

 

Clinical Experience

 

The clinical experience is structured to provide a supervised progressive exposure to and responsibility for patient care throughout the spectrum of ophthalmic diseases. It is expected that the resident develop diagnostic, therapeutic and manual skills and considered judgment as to their appropriate use.

 

The Temple Ophthalmology Program is a clinically-oriented, three-year training program in Philadelphia, a major medical city and a great “eye town”. The Temple facilities are located four miles north of Center City Philadelphia. The Program consists of nine residents, three each year. It is structured to provide progressive exposure and responsibility to patient care under supervision. The focus of the program is on the highest quality patient care, in addition to excellence in academics. Residents are encouraged to refine their skill in giving oral presentations and lectures. Each resident presents a graduating dissertation or thesis at the completion of their three-year residency.

 

A senior research paper or project/presentation is a graduation requirement. This is a culmination of the resident's academic training. It is an opportunity for independent research and an opportunity to expand on a particular interest developed during the three years of residency.

 

There is also a special emphasis on microsurgery. Dr. Wong has regular microsurgery workshops to teach residents microsurgical skills early in their training. Surgical experience is increased as the years of residency progress. Temple residents have the privilege of rotating full time through four major institutions. This provides a broad and diverse training experience. Teamwork and esprit de corps are essential ingredients for Temple residents. Didactics are directed toward broad ophthalmic knowledge and preparing residents for certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

 

Didactics include four hours of lectures given every Tuesday morning by instructors who are specialists and experts in their respective areas. The lecturers are composed of Temple Ophthalmology faculty, visiting guests from the Temple affiliates and various other cooperating ophthalmology institutions in Philadelphia. Residents also attend the Wills Eye Hospital pre-residency course in July and the OKAP review courses given annually. Numerous conferences, symposia, and grand rounds are presented in Philadelphia for community ophthalmologists and residents.

 

During the first year, residents spend eight months at Temple University Hospital and four months at Lankenau Hospital. During the second and third years, the residents rotate for four months through Temple, Temple University Children's Medical Center, Lankenau and the Medical Center of Delaware. Individual rotations are discussed in depth later. Lankenau is 10 miles and the Medical Center of Delaware is 35 miles from the hub at Temple University Hospital.

Philadelphia is a residential community with nearby suburban communities which are very pleasant, reasonably priced and within easy access to the hospitals.