Survey highlights trends in ROP training, future practice intentions among fellows
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NEW YORK — A survey distributed to pediatric ophthalmology and retina fellows at a number of U.S. universities investigated current trends in retinopathy of prematurity training and practice.
The results were presented in a poster by Emily A. Eton, MD, and co-authors at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting.
Due to the increasing survival of infants with low gestational age, the incidence of ROP has been increasing in recent years, but it has not been met by a corresponding increase in the ROP workforce. Based on the current literature, only 6% of all ophthalmologists and 54% of retina specialists treat ROP. As many as 15% are planning to stop providing ROP care within 5 years, and 50% perceive an ROP workforce shortage.
The purpose of the survey was “to better understand the future retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) workforce by identifying trends in ROP training and practice interest among pediatric ophthalmology and retina fellows.”
There were 74 survey respondents, of which 59.46% were surgical retina fellows, 33.78% were pediatric ophthalmology fellows and 6.76% were medical retina fellows. Sixty-four respondents said they received ROP training, and 31 (41.89%) said they planned to incorporate ROP care into their future practice. Of those who had no plan to provide ROP care, about 75% justified their choice with liability concerns, 45% with lack of interest and 35% with lack of training. Other reasons were lack of reimbursement and the perception of ROP care being “too time consuming.”
“[The] findings likely overestimate the percentage of fellows who will be ROP providers [because] ... those interested in ROP [were] more likely to complete the survey,” the authors wrote. To overcome the problem of an insufficient ROP workforce, they suggested that improved telemedicine training in fellowships should be implemented. It is also important to increase awareness of the low incidence of litigation in ROP care and to educate on liability mitigation strategies.
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Eton EA, et al. Trends in retinopathy of prematurity training and future practice intentions among retina and pediatric ophthalmology fellows. Presented at: American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting; July 13-16, 2022; New York.
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