The UK paediatric ophthalmology workforce crisis - a national perspective.

IF 2.8 3区医学 Q1 OPHTHALMOLOGY

Eye Pub Date : 2025-03-18 DOI:10.1038/s41433-025-03755-9

Neil Clough, Tejal Magan, Saurabh Jain

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Abstract

Introduction: The significant and pressing workforce issues facing paediatric ophthalmology were highlighted by the 2022 RCOphth census. Here we present a national UK survey with the aim of deepening the understanding of the size and contributing factors, and inform future strategies.

Methods: In September 2023 an online questionnaire survey link was sent to U.K. based ophthalmologists. Questions were tailored to separate groups; ophthalmologists in training (OST registrars), ophthalmologists in training (fellows), paediatric ophthalmology consultants, or SAS (specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors). OST registrars were questioned on quality of teaching, experience, dissuading factors from pursuing paediatric ophthalmology and career plans. Fellows were questioned on career plans. Paediatric ophthalmology consultants and SAS doctors were questioned workforce issues and solutions to recruitment.

Results: 145 responses: 53.8% (78/145) OST registrars, 7.6% (11/145) fellows, 37.9% (55/145) consultants and 0.7% (1/145) SAS doctors. 87% (67/77) of OST registrars did not want a career in paediatric ophthalmology, citing complexity of strabismus and discomfort with examining children as dissuading factors. 59.6% of consultants reported one or more departmental paediatric ophthalmology vacancies, and identified early sub-specialty exposure and increased emphasis on teaching as solutions to recruitment. SAS doctors reported a desire for career development support.

Conclusion: We present a national survey exploring the workforce issues facing paediatric ophthalmology in the UK. Our results suggest the situation is set to worsen in the short term. Potential solutions are early sub-specialty exposure and increased emphasis on paediatric ophthalmology teaching during training.

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来源期刊

Eye 医学-眼科学

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

5.10%

发文量

481

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： Eye seeks to provide the international practising ophthalmologist with high quality articles, of academic rigour, on the latest global clinical and laboratory based research. Its core aim is to advance the science and practice of ophthalmology with the latest clinical- and scientific-based research. Whilst principally aimed at the practising clinician, the journal contains material of interest to a wider readership including optometrists, orthoptists, other health care professionals and research workers in all aspects of the field of visual science worldwide. Eye is the official journal of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Eye encourages the submission of original articles covering all aspects of ophthalmology including: external eye disease; oculo-plastic surgery; orbital and lacrimal disease; ocular surface and corneal disorders; paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus; glaucoma; medical and surgical retina; neuro-ophthalmology; cataract and refractive surgery; ocular oncology; ophthalmic pathology; ophthalmic genetics.