Subspeciality Interests Among the Ophthalmology Residents: A Mixed-Methods Study

To determine the popular subspeciality choices among ophthalmology residents, to explore the factors affecting that choice, and to identify the obstacles that they face while selecting a subspeciality fellowship.

Mixed-methods study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Ophthalmology of Hayatabad Medical Complex and Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from 1st September to 30th November, 2021.

The qualitative (1st) phase comprised of focussed group discussion (FGD) followed by an online in-depth interview (IDI). Quantitative (2nd) phase was conducted as online survey and consisted of currently enrolled FCPS-ophthalmology residents. Themes were generated and used to modify the pre-designed questionnaire. Questionnaire was piloted and necessary adjustments were made. In the 2nd phase, the online link of the questionnaire was shared with the eligible participants all over the country. For the association between categorical variables, the Pearson Chi-square test was used with significance at p-value <0.05.   Results: Nine participants were recruited in the first phase and three themes were generated. In the second phase, a total of 138 responses were received, among which mean age was 29.37 + 3.9 years, and 74 (53.6%) participants were males. The top three subspeciality choices were cataract and refractive surgery (n = 31, 22.5%), vitreoretinal surgery (n = 30, 21.7%) and orbit and oculoplasty (n = 13, 9.4%). Sixty-two (48.8%) participants stated interest in the career to be the main reason to choose a particular fellowship, and 54 (42.5%) participants identified challenging subspeciality as the main obstacle. An association between gender and the intended subspeciality showed significant results (p = 0.029).

Ophthalmology residents of Pakistan have different approaches and motivations for selecting a fellowship programme. Professional needs and scientific reasons are their main motivations.

Ophthalmology, Fellowship, Motivations, Career choices, Mentor, Pakistan.