# A survey of perceptions of exposure to new technology in residents and practicing ophthalmologists

## TL;DR

This study explores how ophthalmology residents and practicing doctors are exposed to new technologies during training and how it affects their future practice.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the extent and impact of technology exposure in ophthalmology residency training.

## Key findings

- Most residents enjoy training on new technologies and feel better prepared for future changes.
- Over half of practicing ophthalmologists say residency exposure influenced their technology adoption.
- Industry partnerships in residency are seen as beneficial for education and training.

## Abstract

Incorporation of the rapid advances in ophthalmologic surgical and diagnostic techniques inherent in the field poses a challenge to residency training programs. This study investigates exposure to new technologies during residency and perception of its impact on practice patterns.

Ophthalmology residents at various training levels and practicing ophthalmologists who had completed their training were invited to participate in a survey study assessing exposure to various technologies in residency and in practice. Data collection occurred from December 2022 to June 2023. Descriptive statistics were performed.

The study received 132 unique responses, including 63 ophthalmology residents and 69 practicing ophthalmologists. 65.2% (n = 45) of practicing ophthalmologists and 47.6% (n = 30) of current residents reported discussion/training on newly developed products on the market (e.g. premium IOLS, MIGS), was “minimally discussed but not emphasized” or “not discussed at all” in residency. 55.1% (n = 38) of practicing ophthalmologists reported that exposure to new technologies during residency did influence types of technologies employed during practice. The majority resident physicians reported enjoying being trained on newer technology and feeling more prepared for future changes in the field (95.2%, n = 60) and felt that having industry partnerships in residency enhances education and training (90.5%, n = 57).

Considering how to maximize exposure to newer technologies/devices during residency training is important, and may contribute to training more confident, adaptable surgeons, who are more likely to critically consider new technologies and adopt promising ones into their future clinical practice.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-024-03378-w.