IMGs and ophthalmology

[loststark]

HI. I am not new to this forum even if this is my first post. I have always been interested in ophthalmology and the balance of medicine and surgery that it offers. And I am well aware of the fact that acquiring a position in ophthalmology is extremely difficult. And chances are almost nill in any country. But even then I am extremely interested in doing ophthalmology residency in UK and settling there
I know as of now, the visa policies have been changed so much. And it is extremely difficult to get a visa for permanent residency in UK. But still I want some real answers about my chances of getting a residency position in ophthalmology in UK.

I am a student in Pakistan from Dow Medical College. I have seven researches under my belt (one in emergency medicine, two in internal medicine, one in neurology, one in pediatrics, one community medicine study, and one letter to the editor which hopefully will be published soon). I am an average student with CGPA of 3, and I have completed electives in radiology and emergency medicine and observership in ophthalmology in Pakistan.
I don't have any first cousins or immediate relatives in UK.

So it will be really helpful if you guys can help me out in determining all the hows, whats, and wheres about getting an ophthalmology residency in UK, particularly England.
Thanks

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[weegie]

Dear LostStark,

I may be able to help you with some information as recent UK grad. I myself did not apply for Ophtho Specialist training (OST) but do know the general gist of it (I did not apply as I had already sent off my resignation letter by the time applications started; I decided to jump ship for personal reasons).

So, I will tell you that for an IMG who is not from the EU, it will be difficult to get a OST training spot, but it is not impossible as I have met registrars who are in a similar situation. Though I don't know of any recent reg's who graduated from outside the EU.

Application to ophthalmology ST is a nation-wide process that occurs through the Severn deanery, i.e. there are 72 training spots available for the whole of the UK (England, N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales). The overview of the application process can be found here: http://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/show/RCOphth/application-process-lib

On that above link, you will be able to find out if you are eligible to apply, and if not, what you need to do to get there. You will also be able to find the application process there.

Basically, first round of applications is a checklist- you have to score above a certain number (7 points) to be shortlisted to gain an interview. http://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/rec.../RCOphth/structured-shortlisting-criteria-lib

In your position, things that you could do to gain these points are pass the FRCOphth part 1 (big points) if you have not already done so. I passed this during FY2 so it is not impossible despite what people say! Try and get a 1st author article and present at ARVO.

After interview, you will be ranked, and you will rank the places you would like to go. London being the most competitive, and I'm told Scotland being one of the least... don't know why.

The positions that are available to apply to vary:
- ST 1-7 training (i.e. a run-through 7 year ST program- in the UK, ophtho residency is 7 years....min): most competitive
- 1 year LAT position after which you re-apply for the ST1-7 positions

Now, beware, the UK has an odd catch that if you have worked as an ophthalmology trainee for greater than 18 months, you can not apply for the ST1-7 positions and you have to apply for something else and life is difficult for you. I'm not sure the exact workings of this, but a friend of mine has been a victim of this oddity.

I think there is plenty of information on that website to answer a lot of your questions, but you if you have any queries, feel free to ask.

 

[loststark]

Dear LostStark,

I may be able to help you with some information as recent UK grad. I myself did not apply for Ophtho Specialist training (OST) but do know the general gist of it (I did not apply as I had already sent off my resignation letter by the time applications started; I decided to jump ship for personal reasons).

So, I will tell you that for an IMG who is not from the EU, it will be difficult to get a OST training spot, but it is not impossible as I have met registrars who are in a similar situation. Though I don't know of any recent reg's who graduated from outside the EU.

Application to ophthalmology ST is a nation-wide process that occurs through the Severn deanery, i.e. there are 72 training spots available for the whole of the UK (England, N.Ireland, Scotland, Wales). The overview of the application process can be found here: http://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/show/RCOphth/application-process-lib

On that above link, you will be able to find out if you are eligible to apply, and if not, what you need to do to get there. You will also be able to find the application process there.

Basically, first round of applications is a checklist- you have to score above a certain number (7 points) to be shortlisted to gain an interview. http://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/rec.../RCOphth/structured-shortlisting-criteria-lib

In your position, things that you could do to gain these points are pass the FRCOphth part 1 (big points) if you have not already done so. I passed this during FY2 so it is not impossible despite what people say! Try and get a 1st author article and present at ARVO.

After interview, you will be ranked, and you will rank the places you would like to go. London being the most competitive, and I'm told Scotland being one of the least... don't know why.

The positions that are available to apply to vary:
- ST 1-7 training (i.e. a run-through 7 year ST program- in the UK, ophtho residency is 7 years....min): most competitive
- 1 year LAT position after which you re-apply for the ST1-7 positions

Now, beware, the UK has an odd catch that if you have worked as an ophthalmology trainee for greater than 18 months, you can not apply for the ST1-7 positions and you have to apply for something else and life is difficult for you. I'm not sure the exact workings of this, but a friend of mine has been a victim of this oddity.

I think there is plenty of information on that website to answer a lot of your questions, but you if you have any queries, feel free to ask.

Ok that has been very helpful. I still need to ask some question. I hope they dont sound stupid.

1). By my general understanding it's like this. First we apply for foundation program and after FY1 and FY2 we apply for ST1 poisition and go upto the level of ST7. These level in general are termed as OST, right?
2). I have been trying to look for this particulalrly, but couldn't find any relevant stuff, Specialty Registrar is level below the Consultant. SR is like resident right? So can they operate and do surgeries or you have to become consultant for that?
3). If someone apply for foundation year and get FY1 and FY2 and go for Master/Ph.D route and then apply for St1 post, is that even possible?
4). And I didnt understand the point about being a trainee for 18 months. Is that the answer of what I have asked in question 3?

It'll be really helpful if you can answer these questions 🙂
Thanks

 

[weegie]

1). Yes, FY1 begins in August. You apply for FY1 and FY2 together at the beginning of your last year in medical school.
Applications for ST occurs during FY2 around Oct/November to begin in August of the following year. Yes, Ophthalmology Specialist Training scheme is referred to as OST

2). Specialist registrar = OST (trainee) = 'resident'. You can operate as a Reg, but you only really get more surgical experience after 3rd year. Here is the surgical curriculum guide from the FRCOphth website: http://curriculum.rcophth.ac.uk/study-guide/surgical_skills

3). Yes, that is possible. I have met many who were unsuccessful in gaining OST posts when they applied for them during FY2, and they went on to do a Masters somewhere for a year and re-applied during then. The thing with this is that you have to show that you're doing a Masters because you want to and not because you didn't get a place and thought you'd do it to get points/ kill time.

4). This is only applicable if you do, lets say, 2 years of the LAT post and apply for the ST1-7- they won't let you do that. I don't know very much about this, but I do know it is a problem. These years of work as an ophthalmology trainee count if they are done outside of the UK as well, just to let you know.

Another website link that will be of use to you: http://www.rcophth.ac.uk/page.asp?s...al+Graduates+on+Ophthalmic+Training+in+the+UK