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General practitioner registrars' opinions of general practice training in ophthalmology: A questionnaire survey in the Northern Region

Eye volume 11, pages 496–499 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose: Approximately 6% of general practitioners have worked in ophthalmology but to our knowledge the relevance of this training has not previously been evaluated.

Methods: We sent an anonymous questionnaire to all doctors who had held general practitioner registrar (vocational training) posts in ophthalmology in the Northern Region during a 5-year period (1989–1994).

Results: Twenty-six of 48 (54%) questionnaires were returned. Twenty-five of 26 respondents (96%) thought the training was useful, with 22 (91.7%) continuing to use some ophthalmic practical skills and 17 (65.4%) said they had received adequate and relevant clinical exposure. Twenty-one (87.5%) of those in general practice felt that they were more confident with eye problems than their peers and 12 (50%) said their referral patterns differed. Eleven (46%) had provided advice for colleagues. However, 9 (34.6%) commented on the large service commitment and 5 (19%) felt that supervision had been inadequate. Only 9 (34.6%) had received relevant teaching and 18 (69%) thought more was necessary.

Conclusion: We conclude that general practitioner registrar posts in ophthalmology are useful and rewarding but that there is scope for improvement.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne

    Margaret R Dayan & Robin C Bosanquet

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK

    Alan W D Fitt

Authors
  1. Margaret R Dayan
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  2. Alan W D Fitt
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  3. Robin C Bosanquet
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Dayan, M., Fitt, A. & Bosanquet, R. General practitioner registrars' opinions of general practice training in ophthalmology: A questionnaire survey in the Northern Region. Eye 11, 496–499 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1997.133

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1997.133

Keywords

  • Ophthalmology
  • General practitioner
  • General practitioner registrar
  • Training

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