Independently formulate and initiate a management plan for low complexity cases.

Domain of Clinical Practice Patient Management
Level Level 1
Special Interest Area Vitreoretinal Surgery
Code VR1.2
Descriptors
  • Initiate a management plan, including referring to more experienced clinicians when appropriate. 
  • Involve other health care professionals in patient management when appropriate. 
  • Make appropriate referrals in a timely and efficient manner and in accordance with local protocols and guidelines. 
  • Recognise when a patient’s clinical presentation needs priority and make appropriate arrangements to expedite their care. 
  • Recognise where the patient’s vision may not meet the visual standards for driving and provide appropriate counselling.
  • Explain diagnoses to patients in simple language, using visual aids, online patient resources, leaflets, 3D models of eyes and posters available in clinic. 
  • Deliver information in an accessible way, including identifying and making arrangements for patients with hearing, speech or sight impairment, or those with English as a second language. 
  • Communicate effectively and sensitively when breaking bad news and be prepared to give clear and honest information. 
  • Utilise translators appropriately and in accordance with local policy.
  • Understand and apply knowledge of general medicine and surgery relevant to ophthalmic practice. 
  • Understand the associations between drugs and ophthalmic disease including biologics. 
  • Recognise when a patient is seriously ill and make appropriate arrangements for the patient’s care.
  • Prescribe local and systemic medications safely.  
  • Be aware of the indications, contra-indications, side-effects, and possible interactions of the drugs that are prescribed. 
  • Be aware of the services and support available to patients and signpost appropriately. 
  • Initiate appropriate referral to low vision and social services, and to eye clinic liaison officer where available. 
  • Make accurate, legible, signed and dated records and use Electronic Patient Records (EPR) if available. 
  • Contribute to the preparation of patients for surgery, including review of medical therapy prior to surgery (e.g. anticoagulants) to optimise the patient’s outcome. 
  • Understand the process of informed consent, following the principles set in law and by GMC guidance. 
  • Be aware of ongoing research and offer research participation opportunities to patients as appropriate. 
  • Contribute to the pre-operative assessment for local and general anaesthesia as part of a multidisciplinary team. 
  • Recognise patient conditions that render either local or general anaesthetic hazardous.
  • Use appropriate aseptic technique when assisting with or performing surgery.  
  • Use the operating microscope competently, ensuring optimum operating position. 
  • Use suturing techniques appropriate for different ocular tissues, demonstrating understanding of different sutures and knots. 
  • Identify suture types, remove sutures from the eye and adnexa at the appropriate time and manage any retained material or wound problems. 
Method of Assessment
Other information