The Benefits of Taking the Basic Clinical Science Course by the AAO
Basic Clinical Science Course American Academy Ophthalmology Free 27
If you are an ophthalmologist or an ophthalmology resident, you may have heard of the Basic Clinical Science Course (BCSC). The BCSC is a comprehensive and authoritative source of clinical information that covers all aspects of ophthalmology. It is designed to help you enhance your knowledge and skills, prepare for board exams and recertification, earn CME credits and self-assessment points, and stay current with the latest developments and best practices in the field.
Basic Clinical Science Course American Academy Ophthalmology Free 27
But how can you access this valuable resource without spending a fortune? The good news is that there are several ways to get the BCSC for free or at a reduced cost. In this article, we will explain what the BCSC is, what are its benefits, and how you can access it for free. Whether you are a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) or not, you will find some useful tips and resources to help you make the most of this amazing course.
What is the Basic Clinical Science Course (BCSC)?
The Basic Clinical Science Course (BCSC) is a series of 13 books that cover all areas of ophthalmic practice. The BCSC is published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), which is the largest association of eye physicians and surgeons in the world. The AAO's mission is to protect sight and empower lives by serving as an advocate for patients and the public, leading ophthalmic education, and advancing the profession of ophthalmology.
The BCSC is one of the AAO's flagship products. It is written and reviewed by a team of more than 100 ophthalmologists who are experts in their fields. The BCSC is updated annually to reflect the latest scientific and clinical advances, guidelines, and standards of care. The BCSC is available in print and eBook formats, and each book comes with a companion website that offers additional features and resources.
The 13 sections of the BCSC are:
Section 1: Update on General Medicine
Section 2: Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
Section 3: Clinical Optics and Vision Rehabilitation
Section 4: Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
Section 5: Neuro-Ophthalmology
Section 6: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Section 7: Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery
Section 8: External Disease and Cornea
Section 9: Intraocular Inflammation and Uveitis
Section 10: Glaucoma
Section 11: Lens and Cataract
Section 12: Retina and Vitreous
Section 13: Refractive Surgery
What are the benefits of taking the BCSC?
The BCSC is more than just a collection of books. It is a comprehensive and authoritative source of clinical information that can help you achieve your professional goals and provide the best care for your patients. Here are some of the benefits of taking the BCSC:
Enhance your knowledge and skills in ophthalmology. The BCSC covers all aspects of ophthalmic practice, from basic science to clinical management. It provides you with a solid foundation of core concepts, as well as detailed information on specific topics and subspecialties. You will learn from the experts who share their insights, tips, and tricks on how to diagnose, treat, and prevent various eye diseases and conditions.
Prepare for board exams and recertification. The BCSC is aligned with the content outline of the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) written qualifying examination (WQE) and oral examination (OE). It also covers the topics tested by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) examinations. By studying the BCSC, you will be well prepared for these exams and boost your chances of passing them. The BCSC also helps you meet the requirements for recertification by the ABO, which include completing self-assessment activities every year.
Earn CME credits and self-assessment points. The BCSC offers you an opportunity to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits and self-assessment points by completing online quizzes based on each book. You can earn up to 10 CME credits and 10 self-assessment points per book, for a total of 130 CME credits and 130 self-assessment points for the entire series. These credits and points can help you maintain your license, certification, accreditation, or membership status.
Stay current with the latest developments and best practices in the field. The BCSC is updated annually to reflect the most recent scientific and clinical advances, guidelines, and standards of care in ophthalmology. You will learn about the latest diagnostic tools, therapeutic options, surgical techniques, and outcomes in each area of ophthalmic practice. You will also get access to additional online features and resources, such as videos, images, podcasts, webinars, case studies, references, and more.
How can you access the BCSC for free?
The BCSC is a valuable resource that can help you improve your knowledge and skills, prepare for exams and recertification, earn CME credits and self-assessment points, and stay current with the field. However, it is not cheap. The full set of 13 books costs $1,295 for non-members and $925 for members of the AAO. Each book costs $215 for non-members and $145 for members. The eBooks cost $185 for non-members and $135 for members.
But don't worry. There are several ways to access the BCSC for free or at a reduced cost. Here are some options that you can try:
Option 1: Join the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) as a member
The easiest way to get access to the BCSC for free is to join the AAO as a member. The AAO offers various types of membership for ophthalmologists, residents, fellows, medical students, allied health professionals, international affiliates, corporate partners, honorary members, life members, senior members, and sustaining members. Each type of membership has different eligibility criteria and benefits. You can find more details on the AAO website.
As a member of the AAO, you will get access to the BCSC for free online or through the eBooks app. You will also get discounts on the print and eBook versions of the BCSC. In addition, you will enjoy many other benefits, such as:
Free or discounted access to other AAO educational products and services, such as EyeWiki, ONE Network, EyeNet Magazine, Ophthalmology Journal, AAO Meetings and Events, webinars, podcasts, and more.
Free or discounted access to practice management resources, such as IRIS Registry, coding and reimbursement tools, quality improvement programs, practice guidelines, and more.
Free or discounted access to professional development opportunities, such as leadership training, mentorship programs, advocacy initiatives, volunteer activities, and more.
Free or discounted access to networking and collaboration opportunities, such as online communities, special interest groups, committees and councils, awards and recognition programs, and more.
Free or discounted access to member services and support, such as legal advice, ethics consultation, wellness resources, career guidance, member directory, and more.
To apply for AAO membership, you need to fill out an online application form and submit the required documents and fees. The application process may take up to 12 weeks. Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your login credentials and instructions on how to access the BCSC online or download the eBooks app. You will also receive a welcome kit with your membership card and certificate. You will need to renew your membership annually to maintain your benefits.
Option 2: Use the AAO's free resources and services
If you are not eligible or not interested in joining the AAO as a member, you can still use some of the AAO's free resources and services that can help you learn more about ophthalmology. These include:
EyeWiki: an online encyclopedia of ophthalmology that anyone can edit. It contains over 1,000 articles on various ophthalmic topics written by experts and reviewed by editors. You can browse by category or search by keyword. You can also contribute your own articles or edit existing ones.
ONE Network: an online education platform for ophthalmologists that offers free access to selected content from the BCSC and other AAO products. You can watch videos, listen to podcasts, read articles, take quizzes, earn CME credits, and more. You can also create your own personalized learning plan based on your interests and needs.
EyeNet Magazine: a monthly publication that provides news and features on ophthalmology. You can read the current issue and archived issues online for free. You can also subscribe to receive the print version for a fee.
Ophthalmology Journal: a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research and reviews on ophthalmology. You can access the abstracts of all articles online for free. You can also access the full text of selected articles for free or purchase individual articles or subscriptions for a fee.
AAO Meetings and Events: opportunities to learn from experts and network with peers at various conferences, symposia, workshops, and courses. You can attend these events in person or virtually, depending on the availability and format. You can also access the recordings and materials of past events online for free or for a fee.
To use these free resources and services, you need to create an account on the AAO website and log in with your credentials. You can also subscribe to receive email updates and notifications from the AAO.
Option 3: Borrow the BCSC from a library or a colleague
If you are not able to join the AAO as a member or use its free resources and services, you can still try to borrow the BCSC from a library or a colleague. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Find a library that has the BCSC in your area. You can use online tools such as WorldCat or Google Books to search for libraries that have the BCSC in their collections. You can also contact your local medical school, hospital, or ophthalmology society to see if they have a library that has the BCSC.
Request an interlibrary loan or a copy of a chapter. If you find a library that has the BCSC but it is not near you, you can request an interlibrary loan or a copy of a chapter through your own library or online service. You may need to pay a fee for this service, depending on the policies of the libraries involved.
Respect the copyright and fair use policies of the AAO. If you borrow the BCSC from a library or a colleague, you should respect the copyright and fair use policies of the AAO. You should not make unauthorized copies, distribute, sell, or modify the BCSC without permission from the AAO. You should also cite the BCSC properly when you use it for reference or research purposes.
Conclusion
The Basic Clinical Science Course (BCSC) is a comprehensive and authoritative source of clinical information for ophthalmologists. It covers 13 sections of ophthalmic topics, from general medicine to subspecialties. It is updated annually by a team of experts and offers many benefits, such as enhancing your knowledge and skills, preparing for exams and recertification, earning CME credits and self-assessment points, and staying current with the field.
However, the BCSC is not cheap. The full set of 13 books costs $1,295 for non-members and $925 for members of the AAO. Each book costs $215 for non-members and $145 for members. The eBooks cost $185 for non-members and $135 for members.
Fortunately, there are several ways to access the BCSC for free or at a reduced cost. You can join the AAO as a member and get access to the BCSC online or through the eBooks app. You can also use some of the AAO's free resources and services, such as EyeWiki, ONE Network, EyeNet Magazine, Ophthalmology Journal, AAO Meetings and Events, and more. Or you can borrow the BCSC from a library or a colleague.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the BCSC and how you can access it for free. If you are interested in taking this amazing course, we encourage you to explore it further and take action. You can visit the AAO website for more information on how to join as a member, access the BCSC online or download the eBooks app, use its free resources and services, or find a library that has the BCSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Basic Clinical Science Course (BCSC)?
The Basic Clinical Science Course (BCSC) is a series of 13 books that cover all areas of ophthalmic practice. It is published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), which is the largest association of eye physicians and surgeons in the world. It covers 13 sections of ophthalmic topics, from general medicine to subspecialties. It is updated annually by a team of experts and offers many benefits, such as enhancing your knowledge and skills, preparing for exams and recertification, earning CME credits and self-assessment points, and staying current with the field.
How can I access the BCSC for free?
There are several ways to access the BCSC for free or at a reduced cost. You can join the AAO as a member and get access to the BCSC online or through the eBooks app. You can also use some of the AAO's free resources and services, such as EyeWiki, ONE Network, EyeNet Magazine, Ophthalmology Journal, AAO Meetings and Events, and more. Or you can borrow the BCSC from a library or a colleague.
How many CME credits can I earn with the BCSC?
You can earn up to 65 CME credits with the BCSC by completing online quizzes based on each book. You can earn up to 10 CME credits and 10 self-assessment points per book, for a total of 130 CME credits and 130 self-assessment points for the entire series. These credits and points can help you maintain your license, certification, accreditation, or membership status.
What are the topics covered by the BCSC?
The BCSC covers all areas of ophthalmic practice, from basic science to clinical management. The 13 sections of the BCSC are:
Section 1: Update on General Medicine
Section 2: Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
Section 3: Clinical Optics and Vision Rehabilitation
Section 4: Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
Section 5: Neuro-Ophthalmology
Section 6: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Section 7: Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery
Section 8: External Disease and Cornea
Section 9: Intraocular Inflammation and Uveitis
Section 10: Glaucoma
Section 11: Lens and Cataract
Section 12: Retina and Vitreous
Section 13: Refractive Surgery
How often is the BCSC updated?
The BCSC is updated annually to reflect the latest scientific and clinical advances, guidelines, and standards of care in ophthalmology. The new edition is usually released in June each year. 71b2f0854b