Is it the right time to promote competency-based European Training Requirements in Ophthalmology? A European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

Abstract

Purpose: To report national practices and recent progress in competency-based medical education (CBME) implementation in ophthalmology across European countries.

Methods: A 30-question online survey was emailed to European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) ophthalmology section delegates, European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examiners and presidents of ophthalmology societies affiliated with UEMS/EBO.

Results: A total of 230 ophthalmologists with an average age of 54.7 years [30-77] and from 28 countries completed the survey. Half of them had been involved as medical educators for more than 10 years. The majority (74%) exercised their educational role in a University Hospital. Ninety six percent of them dedicated less than 50% of their activity to teaching. A third dedicated more than a half of their activity to patient care. The teaching of skills reported (medical, surgical, research, attitudinal and theoretical knowledge) was significantly better applied than their assessment. While 91% of the respondents found it necessary to harmonize European Training Requirements (ETR) in ophthalmology, competency-based education concepts were rarely implemented in their country (for instance, 8% for CBME; 6% for entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and 3% for ETR).

Conclusions: Despite considerable diversity in European residency programmes, post-graduate medical education leaders in ophthalmology agree on the need to find a platform for equivalence in the content of the basic training requirements that constitute the professional identity of a practicing ophthalmologist.