Ophthalmology residency training in India: Comparing feedback about how the training equips ophthalmologists to combat retinal diseases. READS report #6

Abstract

Purpose:To document whether the residency training in management of retinal diseases has improved in 2000s to meet the increasing demand of retina care in India.Methods:A survey, using a prevalidated questionnaire, was conducted by Academic and Research Committee (ARC) of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) in 2014–2016 among ophthalmologists to document teaching of retina-related clinical and surgical skills in the postgraduate residency program.Results:The 144-item questionnaire was mailed to 4512 practicing ophthalmologists with residency training in two different periods, between 1967 and 2000 (group 1; 20th-century trained) and between 2003 and 2012 (group 2; 21st-century trained). Response was received from 320 (19.1%) of group 1 ophthalmologists and 531 (18.7%) of group 2 ophthalmologists. The average age was 49.2 ± 8.7 and 32.6 ± 4 years, respectively. Group 2 residents had received superior training in indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy using + 78 and + 90D lens, optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography (all P < 0.001), but there was large variation between the training institutions. The residents were not taught vitreous and retinal detachment surgeries in either period of training.Conclusion:Teaching of retina-related clinical skills have improved in Indian residency program, but there are variations across programs. This information might help redesign the ophthalmology residency programs to meet the demands of comprehensive eye care and universal health coverage of increasing retinal diseases in India.

Ophthalmology residency trainers‘ perspective on standardization of residency training in India

“…This is in line with feedback from residents who reported better training in glaucoma and retina related skills. [ 11 18 19 ] Amongst the LASER procedures, the teachers expected their residents to be extremely proficient in posterior capsulotomy, but were willing to settle for less in retinal LASER procedures. This contrasts with what young ophthalmologists had reported.…”

Training Indian ophthalmologists in phacoemulsification surgery: Nine-year results of a unique two-week multicentric training program

“…[ 9 ] Uneven nature of training, lack of standardized curriculum and variable quality of academic programs have all been earlier documented and discussed. [ 12 13 14 15 16 ] Although efforts are being made to standardize residency programs across the country,[ 8 17 18 ] those reforms will take time. Currently, there are residency programs where residents perform no more than 30 phacoemulsification,[ 17 ] as compared to an average of 324 phacoemulsification performed by their Canadian counterparts.…”

Commentary: Improving training in retina in Indian residency programmes

“…The present study has highlighted the high variation of exposure in the subspecialty of retina in residency training programs in India. [8] This can be linked to lack of standardized curriculum, limited number of faculties trained in retina subspecialty and lack of equipment (imaging and surgical) due to limited resources especially in government setups. Need of the hour is to implement a basic uniform curriculum like ACGME in USA, which should be feasible and affordable.…”