The Ophthalmic Final Membership Examination Course
Oculus is probably the best-known clinical course for trainee ophthalmologists in the UK. Now well into its second decade, it continues in its original objective of preparing candidates for their final examination towards Membership of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Held twice yearly at the Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, Oculus is an intensive weekend comprising three mock Clinical exams, a mock Pathology and Microbiology exam, a Communication Skills workshop and eight essential lectures. The 36 candidates benefit from over 40 examiners, 8 lecturers and around 80 patients – an incomparable opportunity to have their clinical skills sharpened and to see a huge range of patients. The course is administered by a team of trainee ophthalmologists and support staff, chaired by Professor Murray of the University of Birmingham.
Candidate feedback is consistently extremely positive with the most recent course achieving very good or excellent in all categories, notably with an average of 4.9 out of 5.0 for the clinical mock-exams.
Candidates particularly appreciate the excellent quality of examining and teaching provided by senior clinicians in the fields of ophthalmology, neurology, general medicine, general practice, radiology, microbiology and pathology.
The intensity of the weekend is balanced by a meal out for everybody on the Saturday evening. Accommodation is also provided for both candidates and examiners. This is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Pfizer.
As further changes to the examination system are planned, Oculus will continue to evolve to provide the very best preparation for the final Membership examination and the forthcoming Part II FRCOphth exam.