Trends in education and carrier choices after ophthalmology residency training in academic year 2017

Abstract

Abstract

Objective : To investigate the trend toward subspecialty training among ophthalmology residents as well as factors influencing the residents’ decision and to compare the results with previous studies in order to determine the trend that can be used as guidelines for further education.

Method :  Cross-sectional study

Results : A total of 64  residents  responded to the research questionnaire. It was found that the most preferred subspecialty was retina with 18 respondents(28.12%). The second most preferred was glaucoma (13 respondents or 20.31%) followed by cornea and refractive surgery (11 respondents or 1.18%). The subspecialties at the fourth and the fifth rank in the order of preference were oculoplastic (9 respondents or 14.06%) and uveitis and ocular inflammation (3 respondents or 4.68%), respectively. The factor that influenced most respondents in making choice of subspecialty was good knowledge in that particular subspecialty as documented in 16 respondents(25%).  The second most influential factor, as reported from 15 respondents (23.72%), was the application of both medical and surgical treatment in subspecialty practice. It was also found that most residents in this study expressed desire to have subspecialty training after residency training. These findings were similar to the results of the study by Sivachandran N 2 which investigated interest in subspecialty among ophthalmologists in Canada and found that the most preferred subspecialties were retina (24.5%), glaucoma (16.7%), and cornea and refractive surgery (16.7%).

Conclusion  

It was found that ophthalmology residents plan to subspecialize for various reasons. The awareness of this trend toward sub-specialization among residents could promote better planning for ophthalmology training in the future.