Residency training in contact lenses: a survey.
OBJECTIVE
A direct mail survey of residents and young practitioners in ophthalmology was undertaken to assess the extent and effectiveness of residency training relating to contact lenses.


METHODS
The respondents, 135 residents and 124 young practitioners, represented 117 of the 128 residency programs in the United States. The questionnaire dealt with issues including respondents' sources of information about contact lenses during and after residency, the residency years in which they received contact lens training, the frequency and length of clinic sessions dealing with contact lenses, the number and types of patients they saw, and the number and training of their clinic supervisors. In addition, the questionnaire elicited respondents' ratings of their total residency programs and their specific training with regard to contact lenses and their degree of confidence in dealing with lens-related problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this survey indicate that residency programs take no consistent approach to contact lens training and are not adequately preparing ophthalmologists to deal with the fitting and management of contact lenses or problems relating to their wear.
Asbell
P A
PA
Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Wittman
N
N
D000328:Adult; D003261:Contact Lenses; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States