Curriculum

This is a full-time, 52-week residency program, beginning on or around June 29 and ending on or around June 30 of each residency year. The first week of the program is devoted to resident orientation. The focus of the program is on clinical care, but it also includes didactic education, research, teaching and scholarly activity. The resident is involved in patient care on an average of four and a half days each week. The remainder of the resident's time is devoted to academic interests, such as case conferences, research, independent study and lecturing.

The resident is expected to spend 40 hours per week performing clinical and didactic activities. Hours vary from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday depending on the clinic and provider with which the resident works. The resident has approximately a one-hour break for lunch. No weekends or on-call are expected.

Hours spent on average per week on clinical and didactic activities:

• Working in the Resident Clinic in La Crosse 24 to 36 hours per week
• Working in a regional clinic for eight hours a week
• Rotation of the following activities for eight hours per week
  • Additional day in a regional clinic (once a month)
  • Specialty ocular disease clinics working directly with an ophthalmologist (once a month)
  • Research (once a month)
  • Inter-professional education (once every one to two months)
  • Walk-in Emergency Clinic (once a month)
  • Observation in Surgery (once every one to two months)

Direct Patient Care

(Approximately 80-90 percent of the program)

The resident is required to complete rotations in the La Crosse Ophthalmology/Optometry subspecialty clinics to gain knowledge and skills in the management and co-management of various ocular diseases and surgical cases in subspecialties clinics, such as glaucoma, retina, cornea, oculoplastics and pediatrics. Once the resident has passed clinical competency, they have their own clinic in La Crosse. In addition, the resident will spend time in Gundersen regional eye clinics. The resident will see both primary care patients, ocular disease cases and walk-in emergency patients at both the main La Crosse Clinic and regional clinics. Advanced competency achievement goals for each rotation are listed below.

Academic Work

(Approximately 10-20 percent of the program)

• Submit case reports for review at academic meetings, such as American Academy of Optometry, SECO, NORA and Heart of America
• Lecture at Dr. Ken Purdue Optometric Annual Review, Indiana University School of Optometry Fourth Year Case Conference, and if selected at the aforementioned national meetings
• Participate in and lead Journal Club Discussion
• Conduct a quality improvement or research project with the help of our Medical Research Department
• Attend continuing education conferences

Goals for Ocular Disease Clinic

To enhance the resident's skills and efficiency in the diagnosis and management of:

• Ocular diseases including but not limited to:
  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal vascular disorders
  • Vitreo-retinal disorders
  • Age-related macular degeneration and other macular pathology
  • Corneal, external ocular disease and post-operative refractive surgery cases
  • Cataracts and post-operative complications of cataract surgery
  • Neuro-ophthalmic emergencies (including neurological exam screenings)
  • Systemic disease correlation
• To become proficient in the testing and interpretation of the following advanced diagnostic equipment:
  • OCT
  • Automated Perimetry - Humphrey Visual Field Technology
  • Ultrasonography
  • Digital photography
  • Pachymetry
  • Right Eye
• To enhance skills of advanced diagnostic procedures, including:
  • Gonioscopy
  • Scleral indentation
• To enhance decision-making for appropriate referrals to ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic medical providers and for appropriate laboratory and neuro-imaging studies

These goals are met through regular resident patient encounters in the Ocular Disease Clinic, supervised by optometry and ophthalmology preceptors.

Goals for Regional Clinics

• To enhance the resident's skills in the diagnosis and management of:
  • Ocular trauma
  • Uveitis
  • Anterior segment infections
  • Foreign bodies
  • Ocular allergies
  • Contact lens-related problems
• To become proficient in the interpretation of laboratory and imaging studies
• Become proficient in diagnosing visual problems associated with acquired brain injuries
• To enhance the intra- and inter-professional communication with nurse practitioners, physician assistants and medical doctors. The resident will need to work in coordination on complex cases with medical doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists employed at Gundersen.