Assessment of ophthalmology residency programs in Saudi Arabia: a trainee-based survey

Session Details

Session Title: Ocular Pathology/Education & Training

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 17/09/2019 | 14:00-16:00

Paper Time: 15:48

Venue: Free Paper Forum: Podium 4

First Author: : S.Alenezi SAUDI ARABIA

Co Author(s): :    A. Alfawaz   A. Al Owaifeer   S. Althiabi   K. Tabbara                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the satisfaction and competency of Saudi ophthalmology residents and compare their performance against International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) standards.

Setting:

NA

Methods:

A cross-sectional web based survey of senior ophthalmology residents (PGY 3-4) and recent graduates (from 2010-2015) assessed various aspects of training. The questionnaire was sent to the participants and was divided into three main domains: demographics, training program evaluation, and preparedness for board exams and clinical practice.

Results:

Out of the 145 invitees, 120 (82.8%) responded. Fifty percent of respondents reported an overall satisfaction with the program. Adequate clinical exposure was reported in most subspecialties except refraction and low vision rehabilitation with inadequate exposure reported by 55.8% and 95.8%, respectively. Surgical exposure was reported as adequate for phacoemulsification(58.3%) and strabismus surgery (68.3%) only. Eighty nine percent of respondents reported performing less than 80 cases of phacoemulsification. Of the respondents who had graduated, the majority (89.7%) passed the final board exam at the first attempt.Ongoing clinical and call duties were reported as having a negative impact on exam performance.

Conclusions:

Saudi ophthalmology residents demonstrate a high level of clinical competency. However, additional efforts should aim at improving surgical training to increase the level of satisfaction among residents and improve the quality of training to meet international standards.

Financial Disclosure:

None