Core Oculoplastic Procedure Skills for the Comprehensive Ophthalmologist: A Consensus by Delphi Methodology

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Education
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Oculoplastic procedures are a key component of ophthalmology training.
• Defining a standardized scope of practice for graduating residents is crucial for consistent surgical competency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve consensus on essential oculoplastic procedures for graduating ophthalmology residents.
• To establish a foundational list for ophthalmology residency curriculum development.

Main Methods:

• A Delphi methodology survey was employed with 34 ophthalmologists.
• Online surveys (Qualtrics) were used over three rounds to gather expert opinions.
• Consensus was defined by ≥80% agreement, an average Likert score of ≥4, or a Cronbach's alpha > 0.8.

Main Results:

• An initial list of 28 oculoplastic procedures was evaluated.
• A final list of 13 scope-appropriate oculoplastic procedures was generated through expert consensus.
• Response rates remained high across all survey rounds (91.2% for round 1, 82.3% for rounds 2 and 3).

Conclusions:

• A consensus-based list of 13 oculoplastic procedures was established for ophthalmology residency graduates.
• This list can inform the development of oculoplastic-specific competencies and curricula.
• Further validation is recommended before isolated implementation in training programs.