Recent Canadian ophthalmology graduates: experiences in finding jobs and assessment of their training.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the ability of recent Canadian ophthalmology graduates to commence clinical practice and obtain surgical privileges. A secondary objective was to assess their perception of the adequacy of their residency training.


METHODS
An Internet questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Canadian graduates of Canadian ophthalmology residency programs between 2005 and 2009, inclusive.


METHODS
Email addresses for the participants were obtained from the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and invitations to participate were sent, followed by 2 reminder emails.


RESULTS
A 44% response rate was obtained (65 out of 154 emails sent). Of the respondents, 91% were working full time, and 89% had operating-room time. Training was adequate for all CanMEDs competencies except working as a manager. Assessment that one's practice did not live up to expectations correlated with male gender, dissatisfaction with location, inability to get operating-room time, inability to get other hospital resources, feelings about fairness of distribution of resources, and net income below expectations.


CONCLUSIONS
For the most part, recent graduates are successful in establishing practices that meet their expectations. Training in management skills should be improved in residency programs.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. lbellan@misericordia.mb.ca
Lorne
L
Bellan
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce