Acceso a entrenamiento en técnicas de exploración para diagnosticar retinopatía del prematuro durante el programa de residencia en oftalmología: encuesta nacional

Abstract

ObjectiveTo characterize the training received by the residents of ophthalmology to screen retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Material and methodsAn observational, descriptive and cross-sectional nationwide survey of a 5-item questionnaire was applied to the residents of ophthalmology of 24 accredited Mexican hospitals of the national system of residencies affiliated to 4 universities programs. ResultsOf 611 residents registered in the residency program, 215 (35.18%) participated answering the survey for analysis. Of the 215 respondents, 118 (54.88%) do not have access to a neonatal intensive care unit, only 111 (51.6%) residents had some training in indirect ophthalmoscopy skills to screen premature babies; 21.86% of the participants never had screen a premature patient. Additionally of the 166 participants that does screen premature babies 65.46% reported that two-thirds or less of ROP examinations performed by residents were also seen by an attending. A vast majority of residents (92.1%) felt unable to perform ROP examinations competently. Programs without teaching ROP screening skills were more likely to be just ophthalmology centers or hospitals with no access to a neonatal intensive care unit. ConclusionsA low emphasis in teaching skills to screen ROP appears to have affected the proficiency of medical ophthalmology trainees. Our findings have important implications for the development of a future workforce for ROP management.