FAQ

You won’t have a specific preceptor.  The elective is an open clinical rotation focusing on multidisciplinary aspects of the specialty. 

We cannot change your schedule once it is established and given to you.

Sometimes clinics will be closed or cancelled.  In this case, please contact the Education Coordinator or refer to a resident about finding another clinic to step in to.

• Your elective will be arranged as a variety of half-day clinics and OR/minor OR days.
• You will receive a customized rotation schedule based on the clinic/OR availability during your elective.
• This may include spending time in comprehensive ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, retina, oculoplastic, cornea, uveitis and pediatrics clinics. You will also spend time in the “Red Eye” Emergency teaching clinics. These clinics will be identified on your rotation schedule.
• This will give you an opportunity to meet and work with various faculty members and our residents/fellows during your time on elective.
• We will do our best to accommodate you in at least one clinic/OR with the program director, however it is based on availability during your elective.
• During your elective you will also be able to attend the resident educational opportunities that occur during the week.  This usually include a Wednesday morning Grand Rounds, resident academic half day, and other morning lectures through throughout the week.
• If you have any questions that arise during your elective please feel free to reach out to our Education Coordinator ophthed@dal.ca or the Chief resident.

On the first day of your elective, please come to Room 2035, 2 West (Victoria Building) at 8:30 a.m. – 1276 South Park Street and report to Tomma MacDonald.  You will have a tour of our Eye Care Centre and receive some other details you will need to know for your time here in our Department.

You are welcome to shadow a resident on call during your elective experience.  Generally, medical students will do one weeknight and one weekday to get a better appreciation of the type of cases seen on-call.

Please contact the Chief Resident to help you arrange this.

• Department of Ophthalmology Grand Rounds:
  Wednesdays from 7:45-8:30 am
• Resident Academic Half Day:
  Wednesdays from 9:00-12:00pm

Depending on the week there may be additional teaching that usually occur before clinics which you may attend. This schedule will be provided to you.

During your elective you will be given daily evaluation slips to have filled out by the various faculty that you work with.

These will then be compiled and given to the Undergraduate Director, Dr. Mishra.  The Director will review them and fill out an evaluation based on comprehensive feedback from all the faculty members you had worked with.

The Education Coordinator can assist you in ensuring your final evaluation gets sent to the Undergraduate Director

Please contact ophthed@dal.ca to get assistance setting up your elective or observership and assigning you to a preceptor.

In order to provide all students a comprehensive experience at the Eye Care Centre we unfortunately do not allow you to make your own schedule or “trade” clinics with other students. Our goal is to have you meet a variety of faculty members and residents during your time and get a broad exposure ophthalmology.

If you learn that a clinic has been canceled, please reach out to ophthed@dal.ca to help find you a replacement clinic.

• Please bring your lab coat and name badge to wear during clinics.
• Professional attire is expected for clinic.
• If you are scheduled to be in the minor OR or OR, the Charge OR Nurse will help you get a pair of scrubs and shoe covers.