Ophthalmology training in Nigeria: the trainee ophthalmologists' perspective.

OBJECTIVE

To know the perspective of trainee Ophthalmologists on the present state of Ophthalmology training in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semi structured questionnaires were administered on trainee ophthalmologists from 13 different training centres across Nigeria during revision courses and Fellowship examination in year 2004. Included were age, sex, training levels and number of year in training. Also assessed were information on acquisition of theoretical knowledge, surgical and managerial skills as well as availability of relevant ophthalmic resource materials and equipment in their training institutions. Suggestions on the ways to improve the training in Nigeria were also noted.

RESULTS

There were 51 trainees with ages ranging from 29 to 51 years, with a mean of 34.65 (S.D+4.76) year. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. There were 18 (36%) senior registrars, 31 (62%) registrars and 1 (2%) senior house officer. The period spent in training varied from 2 months to 10 years with a mean of. 3.6 years (S.D+2.2). Acquisition of theoretical knowledge was judged to be adequate by 48 (98%) of trainees. Also acquisition of surgical and managerial skills as well as availability of qualitative ophthalmic resource material were judged to be adequate by 35 (68.7%), 40 (81.6%) and 38 (74.5%) trainees respectively. Suggestions among others include improvement in quantity and quality of ophthalmic resource materials, high volume ophthalmic surgery to aid surgical skill acquisition and structured training programme.

CONCLUSION

Ophthalmology training in Nigeria offers adequate theoretical knowledge and managerial skills acquisition. However, there is the need for further improvement in the area of surgical and diagnostic skills transfer and acquisition as well as availability of quality ophthalmic resources and a well-structured training programme in all the centres.