Self-Reported Perceptions of Preparedness among Incoming Ophthalmology Residents

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Education
• Resident Training

Background:

• Medical school curricula are shifting towards shorter preclinical training periods.
• A strong foundation in ophthalmology is crucial for residents to maximize specialty training.
• Assessing resident preparedness is key to optimizing ophthalmology education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the self-perceived preparedness of incoming postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) ophthalmology residents.
• To assess their readiness in core competencies and key clinical skills within ophthalmology.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to ophthalmology resident applicants for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 cycles at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
• The survey collected data on demographics, prior ophthalmic experience, online resource utilization, and self-perceived preparedness.
• 170 responses were analyzed, with 119 PGY1 and 51 PGY2 residents.

Main Results:

• PGY2 residents reported feeling moderately prepared for ophthalmology patient care, while PGY1 residents felt only mildly prepared (p=0.003).
• Both PGY1 and PGY2 residents felt most prepared for basic ophthalmic histories and least prepared for interpreting ophthalmic imaging.
• Popular online resources included EyeGuru, EyeWiki, and Tim Root/OphthoBook.

Conclusions:

• Integrated ophthalmology intern years appear to enhance resident self-efficacy, particularly for PGY2s compared to PGY1s.
• Curricular challenges exist in integrating ophthalmology education due to shorter preclinical periods.
• Recommendations include adopting innovative teaching methods, leveraging online resources, and increasing PGY1 ophthalmology exposure.