The new guidance document Mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on Ophthalmologists in Training provides recommendations for both trainers and ophthalmologists in training to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the training programme.
The insights of the first Effects of COVID-19 on training trainee survey in late August 2020, helped to shape recommendations in the new report and evidence was collated from the survey to build upon and update the excellent recommendations developed by the Ophthalmologists in Training Group in June 2020.
As the hospital eye service and the workforce are affected by the second wave of the pandemic, it is important to continue to support our ophthalmologists in training and all those involved in the provision of training and education. The recommendations in the report require continued commitment from key stakeholders including the RCOphth Training Committee, Training Programme Directors and the Ophthalmologists in Training Group. Working with the NHS, GMC and the four Statutory Education Bodies, it is important that the recovery of training is prioritised whilst ophthalmologists also continue to manage the clinical backlog that the pandemic has left so far.
Thank you to authors Alexander Chiu and Liying Low who have worked on the report.
Fiona Spencer
Chair, Training Committee