Amid the Era of Globalization: What Key Factors Influencing the Selection of an Ophthalmology Residency among Trainees in Thailand?

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate factors influencing the decision-making of current Ophthalmology residents when deciding for Ophthalmology Residency Training Program Applications in Thailand.

Setting/Venue: Online-based survey was initiated in Thailand during November 2022 to January 2023

Method: The study is an online-based, cross-sectional study among current Ophthalmology residency trainees. Focused group analysis among randomized sample of trainees and content analysis was processed for the questionnaire. ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used in the study to determine the statistical relationships among the collected data.

Results: Eighty five trainees completed the survey, comprised of 23 (27.06%) first year residency trainees, 35 (41.18%) second year residency trainees and 27 (311.76) third year residency trainees. Of these, 56 (65.88) trainees graduated from medical school in urban area, 29 (34.12%) graduated from regional area. Female trainees predominated, with the total of 52 (61.18%), with a mean age of 29 years old. Among all, 46 (54%) trainees work in urban area and 39 (46%) work in rural area. The most influencial factor were characteristics of work that involved surgical and medical skills (mean 4.18/5), Flexibility and freedom of work (mean 4.15/5) and non-emergency settings (mean 4.07/5). The area of medical school graduation was correlated with flexibility and freedom of work (R-28.0, p-value <0.05). The age was correlated with attitude about future planning (R 22.5, p-value <0.05) and nature of work that involved surgical and medical (R 22.2, p-value <0.05). The area of work was correlated with original affiliation (R 29.6, p-value <0.05) and chance of being sued (R 27.5, p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: Nature of work that involved surgical and medical skills, flexibility and freedom in work, and non-emergency settings were the most influential factor that influences the decision to apply for Ophthalmology Residency Training respectively. There were some correlations between factors such as area of doctor of medicine graduation, age and area of work, which also influenced the choosing of ophthalmology training.