Trainee ophthalmologists' opinions on ways to improve cataract surgical rate.
OBJECTIVE
To know the opinions of trainee ophthalmologists on ways to improve cataract surgical rate (CSR) with a view to having insight into actions that should be of high priority for achieving this improvement.


METHODS
A survey of 27 trainee ophthalmologists using structured self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
Most trainees had a positive view about actions towards raising CSR: Structured ophthalmic training- 25 (92.6%), monthly cataract camps by eye departments in teaching hospitals- 21 (77.8%), rural allowance for ophthalmologists- 26 (96.3%) and welfare package for indigent cataract patients- 21 (77.8%). Other actions included local production of cataract consumables- 22 (81.5%), duty-free importation of ophthalmic materials- 23 (85.2%), employment of ophthalmologists in the services of the state governments- 24 (88.9%) and local governments- 20 (74.1%), effective primary eye care- 25 (92.6%) and marketing of cataract surgical services- 23 (85.2%). However, only 16 (59.3%) trainees wanted first ladies (wives of the president, governors and local government chairmen) to adopt cataract elimination as pet projects, and 24 (88.9%) opposed the introduction of cataract surgeons.


CONCLUSIONS
Most trainees had positive perceptions about most actions that can raise CSR. However, top-priority actions to improve CSR were attractive rural allowance, structured training, resource availability, cost reduction and marketing of cataract surgical services. Multiple actions might be necessary to raise CSR.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. ayanniyikabir@yahoo.com
Abdulkabir Ayansiji
AA
Ayanniyi
Feyi Grace
FG
Adepoju
Joshua Foluso
JF
Owoeye
D000328:Adult; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce