The ophthalmology postgraduate training programme in South Africa: The registrars’ perspective

Majola, Nonhlanhla

doi:10.4102/aveh.v78i1.493

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…It may be that these high workloads reflect the clinical demand in the regions supported by STP posts, which typically have fewer ophthalmologists available per capita. 1 However, other international studies of ophthalmology trainees have similarly reported high workloads, 13,14 suggesting this may be a profession specific issue and not reflective of STP posts specifically. Further, it may be that there is overuse of trainee labour to enable greater work/life balance amongst ophthalmologists at STP posts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

Jessup

Allen

Khanal³

et al. 2022

Australian J Rural Health

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Introduction The Specialist Training Program (STP) is a commonwealth funding initiative to support specialist medical training positions in regional, rural and remote areas, and in private settings. The program helps to improve the skills and distribution of the specialist medical workforce by providing trainees experience of a broader range of healthcare settings. Objective To examine the benefits and challenges of ophthalmology training delivered by the STP in regional, rural, remote, and/or private settings across Australia. Design Qualitative design involving semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with thirty‐two participants experienced in the delivery of ophthalmology training at STP posts including ophthalmology trainees (n = 8), STP supervisors and clinical tutors (n = 16), and other stakeholders (n = 8). Findings Training delivered at STP posts was reportedly beneficial for ophthalmology trainees, their supervisors and the broader community given it enabled exposure to regional, rural, remote and private settings, access to unique learning opportunities, provided workforce support and renewal, and affordable ophthalmic care. However, all participants also reported challenges including difficulties achieving work/life balance, unmet training expectations, a lack of professional support, and financial and administrative burden. Malalignment between trainee preferences for STP posts, low STP literacy and limited regional, rural and remote training experiences were also seen as missed opportunities to foster future rural ophthalmic workforce development. Discussion The STP improves access to ophthalmic care in underserved populations while enabling valuable rural and/or private practice exposure for medical specialist trainees and workforce support for supervising ophthalmologists. Conclusion Efforts are needed to improve the quality of training experiences provided at STP posts and post sustainability. Although research is needed to investigate the longer‐term benefits of the STP to rural and/or private workforce recruitment and retention, RANZCO should develop further regional, rural and remote STP posts to help realise future rural practice intention amongst ophthalmology trainees.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

Jessup

Allen

Khanal³

et al. 2022

Australian J Rural Health

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“…[3][4][5][6] New researchers may encounter many obstacles during their groundwork; scrutinising these factors to reduce their impact may therefore increase research accuracy, success and output. [1,[8][9][10][11][12][18][19][20] A lack of protected academic time away from service work is an issue much cited by registrars nationally and internationally. This situation can be compounded by poor patient record-keeping, which may extend the data collection period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[3,[6][7][8][9][10] Issues raised in previous publications include lack of time (including academic time), lack of supervision and support, poor communication, and a need for training in research methodology. [3,8,[10][11][12] There is also a need to investigate strategies to improve the current research infrastructure for those enrolled in specialisation training, enabling them to conduct impactful and relevant research. Improved infrastructure includes ease of access to patient records.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Postgraduate Master of Medicine student perspectives on data access and record-keeping for research

Prahladh,

Van Wyk,

Naidoo

2024

Afr J Health Prof Educ

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Background. Registrars in specialisation training programmes encounter numerous difficulties in completing the research component of the Master of Medicine degree. Poor patient record-keeping hinders the research process. Objectives. To investigate current types of medical patient record-keeping systems (electronic v. paper) in training health facilities, and the effect data accessibility has on specialist training and research. Methods. This was a mixed-methods study that included both descriptive and analytical components. Of 610 postgraduate students enrolled in the University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Health Sciences Master of Medicine programme, 168 completed a cross-sectional survey to collect data and 11 did follow-up interviews. The survey and interviews explored issues related to medical record-keeping in the participants’ department or hospital, emphasising their experiences with data access while conducting research. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the qualitative data were analysed thematically. Ethical approval was obtained from the institution’s Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. Results. Of the 168 participants, 94 (56%) reported that problems with data access hindered their research, while 56 (33%) indicated that data access did not affect their research. Only 30 participants (18%) had no difficulty in obtaining data for their research, while the rest (n=138; 82%) experienced varying degrees of difficulty. A total of 110 participants (65%) indicated that paper-based record-keeping was mainly being used in their department or hospital, while electronic record-keeping was reported by the rest (n=58; 35%). Many (n=125; 74%) expressed the need to improve hospital data management practices, and 39 (23%) reported that plans were being implemented to improve these practices. Participants expressed frustration with regard to accessing data even in departments that used electronic systems, and they raised concerns regarding data security. Conclusion. The migration to electronic patient record-keeping has not yet been implemented in many hospitals, with poor patient record-keeping affecting training and research.

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“…17 No reliable and consistent statistics are available on the overall number of ophthalmologists practising in South Africa or the locations of their practices. 25 From a recent study on funding health care benefits by medical schemes, approximately 511 ophthalmologists claim from medical schemes. 26 The latter provide further credence to the statistic indicating that the private sector employs 85% of active ophthalmologists (again, distribution is skewed to the private sector).…”

Section: Ophthalmologistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eye care services and benefits paid by medical schemes in South Africa

Willie¹

2023

African Vision and Eye Health

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Background: Vision impairment (VI) affects people worldwide, and demographic factors like age are significantly linked to VI. Routine eye exams and other eye care treatments can detect and prevent common eye illnesses. However, many lack access to these services.Aim: This study's major objective was to analyse the distribution and funding of eye care services by medical schemes in South Africa. Setting:The study was conducted in the private sector in South Africa for benefits paid by medical schemes to optometrists, ophthalmologists and orthoptists.Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal study of eye care services claim data from the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) annual reports. The review period was 2020, and scheme-level data were gathered and analysed at the aggregated rather than benefit option level. Results:In 2020, eye care benefits comprised 3.1% of total benefits paid; this proportion remained at the same levels throughout the review period. Closed schemes spent more per beneficiary per year than open schemes for optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmologists. Self-administered schemes had 11% copayment for ophthalmology services, whereas outsourced schemes had less than 10%. Conclusion:Optometrists had higher copayments than ophthalmologists and orthoptists. Medical schemes with capitated models had a lower average expenditure than other types of models, and the operating model affected expenditure; self-administered schemes spent less on optometry benefits when adjusted for beneficiaries. The study suggests reviewing eye care benefit funding models (risk vs savings), administration activities and managed care models for cost savings and health quality.Contribution: This research contributes to the discussion and implementation of universal health insurance coverage through national health insurance in South Africa. The research shows that there are not enough eye care services in the public sector and that there are different funding gaps in the private sector.

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The ophthalmology postgraduate training programme in South Africa: The registrars’ perspective

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

Postgraduate Master of Medicine student perspectives on data access and record-keeping for research

Eye care services and benefits paid by medical schemes in South Africa

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