Residency Education: Benefits And Role In Optometry.

Background: Optometry's expanding scope of practice has precipitated the development
of issues within the profession such as specialization in optometry and the demand for
increased entry-level skills of graduating optometrist. Residency education may play a role in both specialization and increased entry-level skills. A study was designed to evaluate the cun·ent role of residency education in optometry and what residency education may offer optometrists. Methods: An attempt was made to distribute a survey to all optometrists who had completed a residency programs in the year 2002. Of an estimated potential population of 215 former residents, 81 surveys were distributed to those for which contact information was acquired. Results: The return rate was 45.3%. Private practice was the most common practice setting with 52.3% of the responses. The majority of the former residents (55. 9%) practiced in settings that required residency training. The median annual income for the former residents was between $70,000 and $80,000. Responses were ovenvhelmingly positive for all of the following; satisfaction with current mode of practice, additional training recognized by colleagues, residency training has led to the development of increased competence, and residency training is valuable expenditure of time. The majority of the former residents (59. 4%) elected to complete a postgraduate residency program for the purpose of enhancing general eye and vision care skills. Fifty-percent of the residents completed programs that focus on specialty training. Of those who elected to complete a residency program for the purpose of enhancing general eye and vision care skills, 21% completed a program that focused on specialty training. Conclusion: The benefits of residency education are mostly subjective in nature and not easily measured. The results of this study show benefits in the very positive attitude former residents have towards the completion of a residency program. Another benefit of residency completion is increased opportunities for practice setting. This study did not conclude that residency education results in careers with higher pay. The former residents were found to have a median income lower than the median income for optometry as a whole. The most common motivation for pursuing residency education is not for the purpose of specialization but for the enhancement of general vision and eye care skills. However, more of the former residents completed programs with specialty focus.