key: cord-0893933-7gbjaqpf
authors: Hussain, Rohan; Singh, Bharpoor; Shah, Neil; Jain, Saurabh
title: Impact of COVID-19 on ophthalmic specialist training in the United Kingdom—the trainees’ perspective
date: 2020-06-22
journal: Eye (Lond)
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-1034-6
sha: 05f8ee950012f6737058524ca2fc035d226245ff
doc_id: 893933
cord_uid: 7gbjaqpf

nan

and senior trainees (Fig. 2b) . Trainees' opinions on webinars were positive although a significant proportion of trainees felt their mental health had been negatively impacted by COVID-19 (Fig. 2c) . Suggestions on how training could be improved during COVID-19 included more simulation and wet lab opportunities along with intensive cataract surgery training when possible.

Our survey highlights the many concerns faced by UK ophthalmic trainees. It is perhaps unsurprising that cataract surgery is their biggest concern, especially for those in earlier stages of training. Trainees are expected to have completed a minimum of 350 phacoemulsification cataract procedures by the end of training and to have experienced "a full range of clinical situations" and be "competent in managing complications" [3] . Senior trainees were more likely to be concerned about the postponement of examinations and achieving all workplace-based assessments, possibly related to limited time remaining in training. They were also less likely to be concerned about the effect of COVID-19 on their training compared to junior colleagues.

COVID-19 has forced a change in how medical education is delivered with a surge in online teaching and webinars, as a way of supporting academic continuity during the pandemic. Our cohort of trainees expressed positive support for this new method of distance learning, with a desire for continuation once the pandemic is over.

Like the wider profession, there is much uncertainty over how things will prevail. Ongoing contingency plans will need to be in place to minimise the impact of COVID-19 and address the multifaceted nature of training. (select ONE only). c What are your thoughts on using webinars as a way of delivering teaching/learning? Would you like webinars continue once the pandemic is over? In what way has COVID-19ʼs impact on ophthalmic training affected your mental health? Impact of COVID-19 on ophthalmic specialist training in the United Kingdom-the trainees' perspective

Elective surgery cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic: global predictive modelling to inform surgical recovery plans

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Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.