UK ophthalmology students shared their thoughts in a survey led by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists ahead of training changes proposed by the UK Government’s Shape of Training paper.
Just over a third of the 188 respondents (34%) felt the ophthalmologist training period should be reduced from the existing seven years programme.
Other data, published in Nature, revealed 77% thought all surgical ophthalmologists should be trained to perform cataract surgery, a third had chosen to specialise in oculoplastics and 100% reported feeling confident in their communication with patients. A quarter of those surveyed had opted out of the European Working Directive and over half of trainees (54%) felt their work hours accurately reflected their contracts.
