Internationally Graduated Optometrist Evaluating Examination (IGOEE)

Two minutes reading time

On the wall outside each clinical station there is a written statement (examinee instructions) that may include the following information:

• Patient’s name
• Patient’s age
• Task you are being asked to perform (i.e., physical examination). Examinees will have two minutes to read the instructions outside the stations and may make notes in their booklet (provided). An announcement will indicate when examinees may enter the station to begin their interaction with the standardized patient. A copy of the instructions will also be available in the examination room for the examinee to reference.

After entering the station examinees will have two minutes to view equipment and position themselves appropriately. An announcement will indicate when they can begin their patient interaction. Examinees may NOT begin the patient interaction before the announcement. Examinees will not be scored during the equipment check.

22 minutes total interaction time with the standardized patient

After the starting announcement, examinees will have 22 minutes to interact with the standardized patient and complete the required task(s) listed on the examinee instructions. Examinees should take some time to familiarize themselves with the equipment and introduce themselves to the patient.

During the patient interaction, examinees will be assessed on the following:

• History and data collection
• Physical examination skills
• Communication skills
• Planning
• Implementation
• Organization
• Time management
• Evaluation (of patient understanding)

A standardized patient is an actor trained to replicate a patient’s signs and symptoms in a reliable and consistent manner. Treat them as you would a real patient in a clinical environment.

Examinees are required to explain to the station examiner exactly what they are doing during the assessment of the patient. Remain focused and don’t forget that the examiner will be scoring your clinical skills and process. Successful examinees will be able to demonstrate their clinical ability with the patient in a natural, focused, professional manner.

Examiners may move around the room to get the best view while you demonstrate your skills. Examiners may also provide examinees additional information related to the patient during the encounter.

At the 21-minute mark, examinees will hear an announcement indicating that they have 1 minute remaining with the standardized patient. This is a good time to provide a summary of the points covered with the patient.

Six minutes

The patient encounter is followed by a structured oral interview during which the examiner may ask up to 10 questions about the presenting case and may present visual photographs or data for interpretation. During this time, the standardized patient will no longer engage with the examinee.

Exit and proceed to the next station

An announcement will be made to indicate when time is up. Examinees will be asked to leave the station immediately, move to the next station and begin reading the examinee instructions for that station. Examinees are not allowed to enter or leave a station before they are told to do so.