I N T E R N – J U N I O R T E C H N I C I A N – J E RV E Y E Y E G R O U P

OPHTHALMOLOGY INTERNSHIP

Parkwood GriffithHLTH 4200: Health Science

InternshipClemson University

August – December 2016

BACKGROUND

• As a student enrolled in the Health Sciences department at Clemson University, one of our course requirements is the completion of a 180 hour internship within a career of our choosing.

• It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate with a preceptor at a desired site and complete all of the necessary certifications and examinations.

• During Summer 2014, I interned for a non-profit program, Operation Sight, with Carolina Eye Care Physicians. Since this opportunity, I have maintained a strong interest in pursuing a career in ophthalmology.

• This presentation will give an overview of my experience as an intern with Jervey Eye Group in Greenville, South Carolina.

JERVEY EYE GROUPHALTON ROAD LOCATION

601 HALTON ROAD – GREENVILLE, SC 29607

LOCATIONS & SERVICES

• Jervey Eye Group is spread out across four different locations in Greenville, Simpsonville and Easley.

• Additionally, surgical services are performed at the facilities located on Doctor Drive, Greenville, SC

• The group has specialists that address a wide range of problems and provide services for the following: • Cornea & External Disease• Glaucoma• LASIK• Neuro-Opthalmology • Pediatric Ophthalmology • Strabismus• Vitreoretinal Disease

MISSION Our Mission: Your Best Vision

“Each person’s eyes are different. But we all want great vision. Our goal at Jervey is to offer our patients the full range of specialties within our practice, so you can easily find the diagnosis and treatment you need to regain clear and comfortable vision. Our expert physicians works as a team and keep your best interests in mind, even if that means referring you to another, more specialized member of our team.”

Jervey Eye Group – Halton Road Location – Greenville, SC

PRECEPTOR – DR. CHRISTOPHER BLAKE MYERS, M.D.

• Dr. Myers is a 1983 graduate of the College of Charleston, and a 1987 graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina.

• As a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and the National Board of Medical Examiners, Dr. Myers is well versed in his field and has an outstanding amount of experience, honors and awards.

• Within Jervey Eye Group, Myers specializes in the Glaucoma and Eye Surgery department, particularly, cataract surgery.

L: Dr. Christopher Blake Myers, M.D. – Jervey Eye Group

R: Physician Bio – link embedded in picture

DEPARTMENTS: GLAUCOMA & EYE SURGERY

• For the duration of the internship, the majority of my experiences involved seeing patients for regular check-ups, mandatory visits/examinations, pre and post surgery appointments.• On surgery days, due to in-depth

certifications and requirements, I took a more shadowing-based approach.

• The hands-on opportunities came in the office visits.

• Our department focused on the diagnostics and services for glaucoma.

• Additionally, our staff scheduled, prepared, performed, and followed up with cataract surgery patients.

Glaucoma Department StaffFrom L R: Cheryl Smith (COT), Lorraine Wicks (COT),

Me, Dr. Myers, M.D.

T H E B U L K O F T H E I N T E R N S H I P W A S S P E N T I N T H E E X A M I N A T I O N R O O M S A N D T H E S U R R O U N D I N G R O O M S W I T H P R O P E R E Q U I P M E N T F O R P R O C E D U R E S .

PATIENT EXAMINATIONS

MY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES• One of the main objectives for my internship was to obtain the

skills and abilities for the completion of a full examination of a patient. The details of these work ups are described in more detail on the project tab. Some of these tasks included the following:

• Understanding Concepts and Interpretation of Visual Fields• At the start of the internship, a major responsibility was familiarizing

myself with the anatomy and physiology associated with vision. It was necessary that I become comfortable with all aspects of the eye so that I may be able to offer better diagnoses and explain to the patients the details associated with their vision. Additionally, this knowledge allowed me to create more constructive options for obtaining desired outcomes.

• Resources utilized: Visual Fields: Second Edition, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Edited by Thomas J. Walsh, M.D. & BSM Connection™ for Ophthalmology

MY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES• Complete Patient

Examination • Explained in further detail on

the Internship Projects page, my duties associated with the completion of a patient work up included the following: • Preparation of files• History and chief complaint• Visual Acuity• Manifest refraction• Reading glasses prescription• Pupil examination• Measuring intraocular pressure• Visual fields• Scans and photos• Ocular motility• Proper dilation & examination

Utilizing the tools of the slit lamp to observe any abnormalities on multiple different levels within the

eye

MY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES• Scribing• Following all of the necessary

procedures that are included in an examination, my duties also including properly scribing for Dr. Myers once he entered in the room.

• This required that I familiarize myself with the paper system that Jervey uses

• I was also responsible for learning the main ICD-10-CM codes that used in the practice.

An example work up sheet that would be filled and filed for each visit

DAILY TASKS

• In addition to the responsibilities and duties that were expected of me, some of the day-to-day tasks that filled each day of the internship included some of the following:• Retrieval of patient history and documentation• Proper filing of patient information• Completing written prescriptions, as needed• Taking prescriptions to the in-practice optical shop• Providing appropriate samples of medicines and contact

lenses• Performing necessary EPIC scans, OCT scans and SDP• Review materials and instructions with post-surgery patients.

INTERNSHIP PROJECTS• Complete Patient Examination:

• This project lasted the duration of the internship period. It required that I retain all of the skills and information that I learned during my time with the practice and complete a full examination at the conclusion of the semester.

• For the sake of validation, Dr. Myers observed and critiqued my final work-up. I was required to perform all appropriate procedures and provide and educational diagnosis of the patient’s concerns.

• Justification of this project is presented in the form of a detailed PowerPoint that addresses all of the duties that I fulfilled during the check-out.

• Intern Informational Presentation:• As Jervey Eye Group’s first

integrated intern, my final project included completing a informational presentation that condensed all of the information and practices that I learned during my semester.

• The purpose of the project was to validate that I did gain skills and knowledge from the internship, but to also provide a outlined guide for any potential future interns within the group.

OUTCOMES• During my internship experience with Jervey Eye Group, I was able

to learn a lot about myself, the field of ophthalmology, and the pursuit of a career in medicine. This program was educational on a professional level, and also allowed me to look deeper into my intent and aspirations for future goals.• I am more knowledgeable and comfortable with the education, requirements

and certifications that are mandatory for having a job in the field of healthcare. This includes all levels of employment within vision care.

• I am informed of the functionality of positions and tasks within Jervey’s practice and how it compares and contrasts to different method. This includes understanding the differences and similarities between providing services in a private practice as opposed to hospital systems.

• I am more familiar with the financial support that is provided with health care. In particular, eye treatments and medications that are and are not covered by certain insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. • Furthermore, I have a better understanding of what justifies covering a treatment

and what is considered outside the area of support.

OUTCOMES• I feel confident in my ability to

perform all of the tasks associated with providing vision care

• I am more familiar with the details and outcomes associated with different imperfections and diseases in the eye.

• I better understand the professionalism and characteristics that are required of all healthcare providers.

• And, this internship has verified that I, without a doubt, want to continue my pursuit of a career in medicine.

CONCLUSION

• My internship with Jervey Eye Group’s Glaucoma Department has been an unbelievably encouraging and motivating experience. The physicians and staff that I was surrounded with provided me with so much knowledge and insight of their career paths and journeys along the way. This opportunity has confirmed my desire to serve as a healthcare provider and sparked even more interest in the field of ophthalmology. I learned so many great life lessons during this semester and I am grateful for all of the individuals that made it possible.