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Does Ophthalmology training in UK medical schools influence desir | 56838
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

ISSN: 2155-9570

+44 1223 790975

Does Ophthalmology training in UK medical schools influence desire to apply to specialist Ophthalmology training? Pressure Points


18th Joint event on European Ophthalmology Congress & Ocular Pharamacology

December 04-06, 2017 | Rome, Italy

J Marler, K Myint and S Vennam

UCL institute of Ophthalmology, London

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: GMC data published in 2015 showed an increase in net migration of international medical graduates (IMGs) working in the UK, reflecting the dependence of the UK healthcare system on IMGs. GMC data also demonstrated that in 2014 the percentage of IMGs in Ophthalmology training was 24%, a 30% increase between 2010 to 2014 which was considerably higher than in other specialties. The purpose of the study was to identify potential reasons as to why ophthalmology may be a more appealing specialty for IMGs than UK graduates. Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: Questionnaires were distributed to 18 IMGs and 20 UK medical graduates. Participants were asked to anonymously self-report the amount of teaching and assessment they received in ophthalmology at undergraduate level, and whether they felt this was adequate. Findings: Mean teaching time was 289 hours for UK graduates, and 2261 for foreign graduates. 70% of UK graduates wanted more training in ophthalmology, compared to 44% of IMGs. In contrast 15% of UK graduates wanted no change to their ophthalmology training, compared to 28% of IMGs. Conclusion and Significance: Our data suggests that international medical schools may place more importance on ophthalmology training, compared to UK medical schools. Our data also indicates that UK graduates are dissatisfied with the amount of ophthalmology training they receive. These may be contributing factors to the higher proportion of IMGs in ophthalmology training in the UK, compared to UK graduates

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