title: Experiences of vitreoretinal surgery fellows in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical volume, training, and experiences of 2-year vitreoretinal surgery fellows in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey was sent to 82 US graduating vitreoretinal surgery fellows and contained items relating to their training, self-perceived competency, and future plans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 54 fellows (66%) responded. Fellows most commonly performed <20 scleral buckles (38.9%) and 301 to 400 vitrectomies (27.8%) as primary surgeon. Fifty-two fellows performed epiretinal membrane peeling (96.3%), and 51 performed internal limiting membrane peeling (94.4%). Self-reported competency for treating rarer diseases was 90.7% for posterior uveitis and 22.6% for ocular oncology. Most (54.7%) planned to be employed in private practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experiences of vitreoretinal surgery fellows in the United States varied considerably.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. bakri.sophie@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Sophie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bakri
authors.forename: Saba T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Alniemi
authors.forename: R V Paul
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D057586:Vitreoretinal Surgery / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data