CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Academic Ophthalmology 2020; 12(02): e134-e142
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716363
Research Article

The New Ophthalmology Internship: A Trainee Curricular Survey

Tavish Nanda
1   Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Dan Gong
2   Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Royce W. S. Chen
1   Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
George A. Cioffi
1   Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Gustavo De Moraes
1   Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Lora R. Dagi Glass
1   Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Funding The Department of Ophthalmology at the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute is supported by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness.

Abstract

Background The American Academy of Ophthalmology, in conjunction with the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), has mandated the creation of a linked ophthalmology internship year for all programs by 2021. This mandate provides a unique opportunity to tailor a curriculum specific to the ophthalmology trainee. This study reports the results of a national survey of ophthalmology residents and fellows regarding the relevance and applicability of extramural content to their ophthalmology training.

Methods Using the online portal SurveyMonkey, an anonymous survey was sent to 119 ACGME-accredited ophthalmology residencies. It consisted of nine questions formulated to measure the perceived applicability and relevance of other specialties to ophthalmology training. Responses were summarized with descriptive statistics. Outcomes were compared by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc analysis for between group differences and Benjamini–Hochberg for multiple comparisons.

Results Ninety-four respondents (residents and fellows) completed the survey (January–February 2020); 52.1% completed an internal medicine internship, 42.6% transitional, and 5.3% general surgery. Overall, prior internship experience was rated favorably. Otolaryngology and radiology were deemed the most relevant to ophthalmology training. Intensive care unit (ICU) was considered the least beneficial, followed by general surgery, primary care, and pediatrics. Neuroradiology was overwhelmingly preferred over general radiology. The majority of respondents reported minimal exposure to oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) in medical school/internship. When choosing a reason for inclusion in the new curriculum, respondents reported a high level of surgical overlap with otolaryngology, OMFS, and plastic surgery; clinical overlap with neurology; and ophthalmic consultation with emergency medicine.

Conclusion Several specialties—notably otolaryngology, radiology, and neurology—were considered highly relevant but lacking in preresidency exposure. The preference for neuroradiology was almost unanimous. In contrast, general surgery and ICU were found to be minimally relevant. Overall, ophthalmology residents reported a high level of satisfaction with their internship experience, an important consideration when building a curriculum that will appeal to potential applicants. The findings of this survey provide a framework to build a curricular plan based on current resident and fellow experience.



Publication History

Received: 26 April 2020

Accepted: 17 July 2020

Article published online:
08 September 2020

© .

Thieme Medical Publishers
333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

 
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