The department of ophthalmology at Al-Ahli Hospital has been collaborating with the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) for the past six years, it was announced yesterday.
The partnership conducts basic and advanced assessment of ICO postgraduates, ophthalmologists in training, ophthalmologists and those undergoing subspecialty training by hosting ICO examinations.
Al-Ahli Hospital conducted the first theoretical optics and refraction basic sciences and clinical sciences examinations in April 2013, followed by the advanced examination in October 2013, and has repeated these assessments every year since then thus contributing to the knowledge and scientific competence of candidates.
These examinations are prepared by an international panel of examiners and are set at the same standard as the highest board and qualifying examinations anywhere in the world.
ICO examinations are the only worldwide medical specialty tests featuring assessments, which are centralised, independent, and free of outside influence.
Physical attendance is required.
To date 31 candidates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Yemen, Iran and Egypt have taken the examinations in Qatar with a pass rate of 66%.
Internationally accepted and standardised examinations are offered twice a year at the Al-Ahli Hospital’s ICO examination centre and the level of knowledge is benchmarked by ICO on a global scale.
Ophthalmologists passing ICO examinations have a proven and documented level of knowledge required for state-of-the-art clinical practice and to enhance outcomes for those receiving eye care.
The ophthalmology team at Al-Ahli Hospital will continue their collaboration with the ICO in line with the key principles set out in this important framework including implementing and sustaining world-class healthcare for the benefit of the entire Qatar community.