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Australian general practice trainees' exposure to ophthalmic problems and implications for training: a
Simon Morgan1, Amanda Tapley2, Kim M Henderson2
1Elermore Vale General Practice, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Primary Health Care
|March 14, 2018
Summary
General Practitioner (GP) trainees manage 1.4% of eye problems, with conjunctivitis being most common. Findings highlight the need for enhanced ophthalmology training for GP trainees to address challenges in managing eye conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- General Practice
- Medical Education
Background:
- Eye conditions are frequent in Australian general practice and can lead to severe outcomes.
- Ophthalmology training for General Practitioner (GP) trainees is currently limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency, characteristics, and associated factors of ophthalmic issues managed by Australian GP trainees.
- To inform ophthalmology education and training strategies for GP trainees.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of an ongoing cohort study involving GP trainees' clinical consultations.
- Data collected included trainee, patient, and practice demographics, alongside clinical and educational details.
- Statistical analysis used logistic regression within a generalized estimating equations (GEE) framework.
Main Results:
- Ophthalmology-related problems constituted 1.4% of all issues managed by GP trainees.
- Common presentations included conjunctivitis (32.5%), eyelid problems (14.9%), foreign body (5.3%), and dry eye (4.7%).
- Referral, information-seeking, and learning goal generation were associated with ophthalmic problems, suggesting trainee challenges.
Conclusions:
- GP trainees encounter a significant volume of ophthalmic problems comparable to established GPs.
- Associations found indicate that GP trainees perceive ophthalmic issues as challenging.
- Enhanced ophthalmology training is crucial for GP trainees to effectively manage eye conditions.