Abstract
Purpose:
The German ophthalmological training is yet a very individual-dependent system with only one final oral exam at the end of the five year residency. In the beginning of 2013 we introduced a new residency program at the department of ophthalmology of the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf. This study evaluates the satisfaction of the residents with the new concept.
Methods:
The new residency program consists of three main changes: first a structured training with fixed rotation in the various subdisciplines of ophthalmology, second a list of practical skill exams (PUTs), that has to be completed during the 5-year program and third yearly oral examinations as well as an additional practical examination in optics and refraction. The satisfaction of the residents with the new program was anonymously evaluated with a likert scale based questionnaire with 15 items and additional free text comments.
Results:
The structured training was positively evaluated by 6 of 10 residents. 4 were unsatisfied with the implementation of the concept.<br /> The evaluation of the PUTs was inconsistent. 5 of 10 residents described a positive effect on motivation and learning curve and wanted to keep up the skill examinations. The other 5 were not satisfied with this part of the concept, mainly due to procedural problems.<br /> 9 of 10 trainees agreed that their learning motivation had accelerated before the yearly examinations. Also 9 described an advance in their learning curve. 8 agreed that this exam should be performed regularly.
Conclusions:
Overall the residency concept was well accepted. Especially the yearly examinations were reviewed favorably. However, the practical examinations and the structured training need to be revised in order to further increase the learning motivation of the trainees.