Posters

An innovative long-term phacoemulsification surgical training model in India: 7 year experience

Poster Details

First Author: R.Paul INDIA

Co Author(s):    M. Mondal   K. Sarkar   S. Phukan              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

There are many short term phaco training programs in India to help practicing ophthalmologists learn this technique; however, relatively little is known about how this training translated into post-training adoption of phaco in their practice. In 2010, the Susrut Eye Hospital initiated an innovative and standardized phaco surgical training model with long term field support and outcomes monitoring.

Setting:

Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre

Methods:

A retrospective data analysis of 309 cataract surgeons with limited prior phaco surgical experience during the training period from June 2010 to December 2017. After the pre-training assessment by the field trainers, candidates were scheduled for two-week training curriculum. Course wet lab, hands-on surgery, surgical video discussion lectures. The trainer supported this curriculum in a standardized manner. After the training course, the surgeons were consistently supported and monitored by the field trainers. This study analyzed the active adoption of phaco surgery (defined by surgeons doing phaco in >50% of total cataract cases) and surgical competency (OSCAR) in their set up.

Results:

Among the 309 surgeons who had completed this program, 291 surgeons (94.2%) had actively adopted phaco and, in total, had performed 260,010 phaco surgeries. The average OSCAR Score was 79.4 for the 248 doctors who had been monitored long term.

Conclusions:

This unique training model of phaco surgery increase the successful adoption of phaco among practicing cataract surgeons in India.

Financial Disclosure:

None