Acta Biomedica Scientia

EXPLORING BARRIERS AND MOTIVATORS FOR NEUROOPHTHALMOLOGY SUBSPECIALIZATION AMONG OPHTHALMOLOGISTS: A NATIONAL SURVEY

Dr. Suneel Narahari1*, Sruthi Bhagyam K

1Associate Professor, Deportment of Ophthalmology, Katuri Medical College & Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. 2Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India

The study sought to find out what ophthalmologists currently know, think and feel about neuro-ophthalmology; what holds back many from becoming subspecialized in this area; and what suggested solutions can raise the appeal of neuroophthalmology to them. Over the last decade, specialty programs have improved ophthalmology, yet neuro-ophthalmology continues to be underrepresented and is given less funding than areas like retina, glaucoma, anterior segment and community medicine. Its purposes were to analyze ophthalmologists’ understanding, opinions and beliefs about neuroophthalmology, identify training barriers and explore methods to stimulate more specialists in the area. A study survey was given to 150 consultants and residents present at a national ophthalmology meeting. People who took part in the survey completed a well-established questionnaire that gathered data on their background, level of training received, willingness to pay and opinions about neuro-ophthalmology. About 54.2% of respondents were younger than 40 and most were based in tertiary public healthcare institutions. Not many participants had much experience in neuro-ophthalmology; only 7.5% trained for a year or more and 15% had not had any exposure. Very few residents, 4.6%, chose neuro-ophthalmology as a career, while most, 80.4%, expressed little interest. Almost 9 out of 10 teachers said they would pursue training with either full or partial financial support and about 60% of those who wanted partial support said they would contribute from their own pocket. Results suggest that a lack of early exposure to neuro-ophthalmology in training and economics are main reasons for the low rate of practicing it. By including neuro-ophthalmology in early medical education, broadening fellowship grants and encouraging programs where experts from different fields join, the field is able to support and encourage new talent. Also, supportive work arrangements can help ensure all people can take part equally. Such findings stress that using different approaches strengthens neuro-ophthalmology and guarantees a competent and durable pool of specialists in this field