News & Views

In this episode we hear from Mariantonia Ferrara a Medical and Surgical Retina Fellow from Newcastle and Kerr Brogan, a Glaucoma Fellow from Glasgow, about the results from surveys that they conducted during the pandemic that investigated the impact of COVID-19 on Ophthalmologists in Training. Kirthi Varo, the Chair of the Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG) then shares with us an overview of the role of the OTG and its importance during these challenging times.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has launched its national training survey.

The FRCOphth Part 2 Oral examination is changing due to personal contact and social distancing measures required to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the summer, the Surgical Skills Faculty will be hosting a series of monthly webinars focusing on how to use a variety of simulation techniques to acquire and maintain surgical skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the last national ophthalmology trainee survey was conducted in 2014, the UK government introduced a new junior doctor contract (JDC) whilst demand for ophthalmology services has risen to unprecedented levels. To assess the impact of these and other factors on Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST), a follow-up 25-question online survey was conducted.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recognises the need to support a return to normal training and limit any further disruption.

The National Insitute of Health Research (NIHR) has set out a framework to guide the restarting of NIHR research activities which have been paused due to COVID-19.

Ophthalmologists make use of micro-surgical techniques in a variety of operations on the eye. The use of EyeSi simulators to practice these techniques allows trainees to refresh and improve their surgical skills.

Health Education England (HEE) has expressed concern about the service pressures that trainees and in particular, young clinical academics may find themselves in during the Covid 19 emergency. HEE recognises that the available levels of supervision and support in the clinical service may not meet previously expected levels.

In the latest episode of Eye to Eye, the podcast from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Miss Fiona Spencer, Chair of the Training Committee spoke about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on Ophthalmology and Ophthalmologists in training.