Which is the best method to learn ophthalmology? Resident doctors' perspective of ophthalmology training.

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to gauge ophthalmology resident doctors' perception of their teaching programs and various methods used in it and to formulate a well structured program for teaching ophthalmology. Closed ended and open-ended questionnaires were used for survey of ophthalmology residents in West Maharashtra, India. Sixty-seven out of 69 residents of seven residency programs completed the questionnaire. On a scale of 0 (most unsatisfactory) to 4 (best), lectures with power point presentation had a median score of 4, didactic lectures 2, seminar 3, case presentation 4, wet lab 3 and journal club 3. There was a discrepancy in the actual number of surgeries performed by the resident doctors and their perception of the number needed to master those surgeries. Phacoemulsification and non-cataract surgery training was neglected in most programs. The residents wanted to be evaluated regularly and taught basic ophthalmic examination, use of equipments and procedures in greater depth.