The UK paediatric ophthalmology workforce crisis - a national perspective.

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.