Once again, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the BIOS Medical Retina steering group were met with significant difficulties in organising their annual ‘Special Interest Day’. The steering group were very conscious they were unable to meet the previous year due to the global pandemic, and were keen not to let another year go by without offering support to interested Orthoptists.
Instead of having one dedicated study day as in the past, the steering group decided to extend the specialist subjects within Medical Retina and offer virtual ‘bite-sized’ evening events lasting no more than two hours at a time. This gave interested Orthoptists the option to attend subject events that they currently worked in, or would like to work within in the future.
Over a period of five weeks spanning 04 October to 03 November 2021, the steering group organised guest speakers to cover six key subjects within Medical Retina, namely OCT Masterclass, AMD, RVO, DMO, Uveitis and IVT for beginners. Each event was very well attended, averaging 40 – 50 Orthoptists per event. Guest speakers covered a range of topics within their specialist subject, encouraged interaction with the audience, live Q&A, and offered advice for all the audience, covering those that are relatively new to the roles through to the more experienced clinician.
Many speakers openly discussed key challenges currently faced by their services due to the COVID-19 impact, and how Orthoptists can be involved and upskill to help resolve these challenges. Scheduling OCT Masterclass as the opening event proved very popular and was helpful going forward as so many speakers referred to OCTs within their clinical discussions and showed an array of case examples in each topic. Key take-home learning points within AMD, DMO, Uveitis and RVO have stayed with the clinicians, and many plan to use these points in their own practice and own services going forward. Discharge issues, visual outcome KPIs from treatment and delays to treatment were key components of most events. Streamlined ways of working were proposed and there was much learning for all in attendance.
Our final event for those not yet injecting, but interested in IVT, was presented by two recently passed competent and now practising IVT Orthoptists. They covered their journey to date, training methods, IVT technique and common issues or challenges that may arise. Our Orthoptic speakers were asked many questions and this has highlighted potential need for a specific IVT training day in 2022.
Feedback for all events has been fantastic and the steering group wish to thank all those who have taken the time to provide this. The steering group will consider replicating these bite-size events in the future, but will also aim to meet in physical capacity in order to update practical skills within Medical Retina roles.
You can find the event recordings here
Declan McClements and Lorraine Manklow (Medical Retina CAG Co-Chairs)
