Audit Report for Part C of the Fellowship Examination in Ophthalmology

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Information for Candidates

Summary of the Audit Cycle

Components
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.

Identify topic
Set standards
Assess and measure practice against these standards
Identify changes required
Implement change
Re-audit in order to monitor the effect of change.

Topic
Audit should focus on clinical practice in a way that is likely to lead to an improved
experience for patients. Any aspect of patient care may be subjected to audit analysis.
Standards
A literature search is required in order to set standards.
Data collection
A comprehensive analysis of case records or of other records is required in order to
provide meaningful data. Prospective data collection is superior to retrospective data
collection. A substantial volume of work is normally required in order to collect high
quality data.
Analysis
Where appropriate, the data should be summarised using statistical methods.
Audit methodology is different from the simple recording of clinical outcomes and is
also different from clinical research. In audit the data results are compared with
predetermined standards. The outcome of the audit should be clear and supported by
the data.
Identify changes required.
Potential improvements in clinical practice are suggested by the audit outcome.
Specific changes in clinical practice are then planned.
Implement change
The planned changes in clinical practice are implemented.
Re-audit in order to monitor the effect of change.
The audit is repeated in order to measure the effects of changed clinical practice.

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The following guidance is given in order to ensure that candidates meet the
requirements of examiners.
1. Presentation and write up of the audit.
A clear description of the audit and of the methodology used is required.
2. Content of the audit.
The audit should follow audit methodology as outlined above. The standards should
be clearly defined. The data analysed should be substantial, and robust. The analysis
should be appropriate to the data, and the outcome should be clear, and supported by
the data.
3. Audit results and audit cycle methodology.
A clear understanding of the purpose of the audit cycle should be evident. The results
of the audit should have been used to plan changes, these changes should have been
implemented, and a re-audit should have been performed.

Exceptionally, for large-scale audits, the time scale needed to implement change and
re-audit may not be feasible for this exam submission. However in this circumstance
clear, written plans for completion of the audit cycle should be given.

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