Leadership Development in Ophthalmology: Current Impact and Future Needs.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Education
• Leadership Development

Background:

• A significant gap exists in peer-reviewed literature concerning leadership development programs (LDPs) specifically for ophthalmologists.
• There is a need for research into the demographics, outcomes, and methodologies of existing LDPs in ophthalmology.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of current LDPs in meeting the needs of emerging leaders is crucial for program enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent to which current leadership development programs (LDPs) for ophthalmologists cater to the needs of emerging leaders.
• To analyze the characteristics, evolution, and diversity of LDPs within the field of ophthalmology.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a routine internet search to identify ophthalmology LDPs.
• Identified LDPs were categorized based on available outcome data into four distinct levels.
• Participant demographics, including gender and race/ethnicity, were analyzed using validated software.

Main Results:

• Nine ophthalmology LDPs were identified and classified into generations, with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) LDP serving as a foundational program.
• The first generation of LDPs, including the AAO program, influenced the creation of multinational programs with similar structures and funding models.
• Second-generation LDPs increasingly target specific groups such as female scientists and academic leaders, showing improvements in gender and ethnic diversity over time.

Conclusions:

• The AAO LDP is a leading program that has inspired subsequent LDPs in ophthalmology.
• While newer LDPs show progress in diversity and targeting academic leadership, there is a persistent lack of robust evaluation metrics and reported outcomes.
• Further development and research into LDPs are essential to ensure equitable and diverse leadership pipelines in ophthalmology.