Ophthalmology specialist trainee survey in the United Kingdom

Background Currently there are a total of 780 post-graduate ophthalmology trainees in the United Kingdom (UK). Postgraduate ophthalmology training in the UK is 7 years in duration, and follows a comprehensive competency-based curriculum. Changes to training have been proposed as part of the government's Shape of Training paper. Methods UK ophthalmic trainees and trainers, in partnership with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, designed a national questionnaire to explore the confidence of trainees in different clinical and non-clinical aspects of ophthalmology. The questions and possible responses underwent a process of refinement through the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Training Committee and Trainee Group. An online survey platform was used for the questionnaire, which was sent to all ophthalmology trainees within the UK. Reminders were sent via the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and Regional Training Programme Directors. A 4-week period was allowed for responses. Quantitative data were analysed, and qualitative data analysis included collation and thematisation of free-text responses. Results A total of 188 trainees (24.1% response rate) replied. Ninety-four percent of trainees were in full-time training posts. The most popular career choice was oculoplastics (31.4%), followed by vitreo-retina (25.1%), glaucoma (24.6%) and cornea (24.0%). One-quarter had opted out of the European working time directive (EWTD), and 54.8% agreed that their work contract reflected the number of hours actually worked. In total, 34.4% of trainees thought that ophthalmic specialist training should be shortened from the current 7-year programme. Overall, 79.9% of respondents felt confident in performing phacoemulsification cataract surgery independently. For more senior trainees in years 4-7, 100% felt confident in phacoemulsification. However, overall, only 47.9% were confident in independently performing an anterior vitrectomy (91.1% of final-year trainees). Overall, 77.6% thought that all surgical ophthalmologists should be trained to perform cataract surgery. For non-clinical skills, trainees felt least confident in 'preparing a business case', with 64.5% disagreeing that they felt confident in this task. The most confidence was felt for communication with patients: 100% of trainees (all of whom have completed at least 2 years of medical work following qualification) reported feeling confident. Conclusions Most doctors in post-graduate specialist training in ophthalmology in the UK aim to specialise in surgical subspecialities. The subjective reports collected in this survey suggest targets for strengthening of the UK's highly rated training system. Further research is necessary to determine overall satisfaction with training, the effect of changing training within the recent Shape of Training review; and how recent newly imposed junior doctor contracts as well as Brexit affects training.