Survey of ophthalmologists-in-training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa: A regional focus on ophthalmic surgical education [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wellcome Open Research
Abstract
There are 2.7 ophthalmologists per million population in
sub-Saharan Africa, and a need to train more. We sought to analyse current
surgical training practice and experience of ophthalmologists to inform
planning of training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. Potential participants
included all current trainee and recent graduate ophthalmologists in the
Eastern, Central and Southern African region. A link to a web-based
questionnaire was sent to all heads of eye departments and training
programme directors of ophthalmology training institutions in Eastern,
Central and Southern Africa, who forwarded to all their trainees and recent
graduates. Main outcome measures were quantitative and qualitative
survey responses.
Results: Responses were obtained from 124 (52%) trainees in the region.
Overall level of satisfaction with ophthalmology training programmes was
rated as ‘somewhat satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ by 72%. Most frequent
intended career choice was general ophthalmology, with >75% planning to
work in their home country post-graduation. A quarter stated a desire to
mainly work in private practice. Only 28% of junior (first and second year)
trainees felt surgically confident in manual small incision cataract surgery
(SICS); this increased to 84% among senior trainees and recent graduates.
The median number of cataract surgeries performed by junior trainees was
zero. 57% of senior trainees were confident in performing an anterior vitrectomy. Only 29% of senior trainees and 64% of recent graduates were
confident in trabeculectomy. The mean number of cataract procedures
performed by senior trainees was 84 SICS (median 58) and 101
phacoemulsification (median 0).
Satisfaction Conclusion: with post-graduate ophthalmology training in the
region was fair. Most junior trainees experience limited cataract surgical
training in the first two years. Focused efforts on certain aspects of surgical
education should be made to ensure adequate opportunities are offered
earlier on in ophthalmology training.
Description
Keywords
Ophthalmology, Training, Africa
Citation
Dean, W., Gichuhi, S., Buchan, J., Matende, I., Graham, R., Kim, M., ... & Burton, M. Survey of ophthalmologists-in-training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa: A regional focus on ophthalmic surgical. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15580.1