CEHC Clinical Fellowship Programme

Information for Applicants

General Information

The Clinical Fellowship Programme will comprise one-year fellowships, aimed at relatively junior ophthalmologists, and three-month fellowships, aimed at more senior ophthalmologists from Commonwealth countries with the greatest training need and where there are no in-country opportunities for training. We anticipate offering 12 one-year fellowships per year and 8 three month fellowships per year over a 5 year period. However, the exact number and months of duration will be tailored to the needs of fellows and the available institutional training schedules. We are also hoping to provide a 3 month fellowship in Low Vision for which either ophthalmologists or optometrists could apply (see below under sub-specialty areas). The fellowships are taken up for 2015 and we are now looking at 2016, bearing in mind that a number of these have been selected in the first round.

Fellowship Provider Institutions

Funded clinical fellowships will be hosted by institutions in Bangladesh, India, Singapore, South Africa and the UK who have agreed to make opportunities available for the CEHC. The process of establishing this network is ongoing and it is anticipated that more fellowships in more countries will be made available.

For further details see: http://cehc.lshtm.ac.uk/clinical-fellows/

Relevant sub-specialty areas

There may be some variation from this list depending on which specialty fellowships can be offered by providers.

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·  Adnexal (eyelid and orbital)

·  Cataract surgery

·  Cornea and external disease

·  Glaucoma

·  IOL

·  Medical retina (includes diabetic retinopathy)

·  Oculoplastics

·  Paediatric ophthalmology

·  Vitreoretinal surgery

·  Low Vision (please see separate application form)

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Application Process

Applications are now open. The closing date for this round of applications will be 30 April 2015.

We expect to inform successful candidates by 31 July 2015.

The application form can be downloaded at: http://cehc.lshtm.ac.uk/files/2014/02/CEHC-clinical-fellowship-application-form-7.doc and completed, providing the eligibility criteria have been satisfied. Applicants may only apply for one fellowship, indicating their first and second choice of preferred host institution.

Completed application forms should be sent to:

Andrew Roberts

Consortium Administrator
Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium
International Centre for Eye Health
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK

Applications will first be checked against the eligibility criteria. An email will be sent from CEHC confirming receipt and candidates notified if they fail to meet the eligibility requirements.

Applications will then be ranked by members of the fellowship advisory committee and the applicants who have made the strongest and most deserving case for wanting to undertake a fellowship will be allocated a host institution to whom they can formally apply.

Candidates will be notified within 4 weeks of the closing date for applications whether or not their application has been successful.

Application can then be made on-line to the recommended host institution who will be made aware of the recommendation by the CEHC advisory committee. More detailed information may be required, but much of that provided for the initial application will be relevant.

The final decision as to whether the candidate is accepted for the fellowship will be made by the fellowship host institution, and the applicant notified accordingly.

The process may take up to nine months from application to the provider institution to the start of the fellowship, as time must be allowed for registration and visa applications to be processed.

Re-application

If the application has been rejected, applicants may reapply, but it is assumed that there will have been a material change in their circumstances.

Visa application

Starting the process in good time is essential. The information required is extensive and has to be provided in detail. Visa applications must be completed honestly and in full, and all supporting documentation provided. If not, the application may be refused. However the guidance notes provided are usually comprehensive and helpful. Supporting letters will be provided by the host institution and CEHC.

Accommodation during the fellowship

The host institution will advise on accommodation and the terms and conditions of the fellowship. A period of leave may be included but this will not be funded by CEHC. Accommodation may be basic or shared in the interests of economy and local regulations will apply during the fellowship. It is important that applicants are aware of the cultural differences when working in the host country.

Insurance and registration

Travel insurance (with emergency medical cover only) will be provided by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and applicants notified concerning the relevant forms that need to be filled in. Applicants are advised to consult the host institution with respect to medical indemnity insurance. Fellows must register with the appropriate Country Medical Council before commencing their fellowship.

Reporting

We are required under the terms of the grant to report on the progress of fellows in order to show the impact of the programme and the beneficial effect on eye care in the fellow’s home country once the fellowship is completed.

As part of the contract, the fellow will be expected to provide the following information:

Before the start of the fellowship - baseline data on home institution:

1.  Subspecialty

2.  Description of existing service (personnel/equipment/facilities)

3.  Number of in-patient beds

4.  Number of patients seen monthly

5.  Number of patients treated or operated

The purpose of this is so that a comparison can be made, once a new service has been developed or new skills gained on returning home.

Information required at start of the fellowship:

1.  Timetable

2.  The fellow’s learning goals during the fellowship

This will help us monitor whether the fellowship experience is meeting expectations. However those expectations need to be clearly defined at the outset so that both the fellow and the host institution are in agreement.

Feedback required during fellowship

1.  Accumulative surgical Log (observed/assisted/performed)

Feedback required at 6 months and fellowship end:

1.  Feedback form - this will have a number of questions such as:

·  How much of what you learned was new for you? (%)

·  What has gone particularly well and why?

·  What challenges have you faced/how were they overcome?

2.  Additional experience gained (courses attended/lectures/audit/presentations)

Feedback required 6 months post-fellowship:

Comparison of service to baseline 6 months after returning home

1.  Subspecialty

2.  Description of existing service (personnel/equipment/facilities)

3.  Number of in-patient beds

4.  Number of patients seen monthly

5.  Number of patients treated or operated

Updated 12/12/14

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