Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Ophthalmology

.: ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Factors Influencing Preferences in International Ophthalmology Subspecialty Fellowships Among Young Ophthalmologists in Türkiye: A Descriptive Study
Türkiye'de Genç Oftalmologların Uluslararası Oftalmoloji Yandal Eğitimi Tercihlerini Etkileyen Faktörler: Tanımlayıcı Araştırma
Uğur TUNÇa , Atalay AKTUNAb , Yusuf Berk AKBAŞc , Ömer Faruk PEKERc , Yusuf YILDIRIMa
aMedipol University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Türkiye
bEge University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, İzmir, Türkiye
cİstanbul Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Türkiye
Turkiye Klinikleri J Ophthalmol. 2025;34(4):147-59
doi: 10.5336/ophthal.2025-109307
Article Language: EN
Full Text
ABSTRACT
 Objective: This study explores the interest in international ophthalmology subspecialty fellowship training among young ophthalmologists in Türkiye, focusing on demographic factors, motivations, and barriers. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online survey from April to July 2024. A total of 232 ophthalmologists from 14 institutions were included. Participants were categorized into 3 groups: no interest (Group 1), interested but not applied (Group 2), and active applicants or past participants (Group 3). Factors associated with interest and application were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test in bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression analysis in multivariate analyses. Results: The mean age was 28.9±3.6 years; 48.3% were female. Group 1 included 43 participants (18.5%), Group 2 had 126 (54.6%), and Group 3 had 63 (27.2%). The most preferred subspecialties were cataract and refractive surgery (72%), cornea and ocular surface diseases (52.6%), and oculoplastic surgery (52.6%), with the latter significantly higher among residents. Most preferred destinations were the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and Canada. Career development was the primary motivator, while familial obligations were the main barrier. Specialists, those knowledgeable about opportunities, and those proficient in foreign languages were more likely to apply (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed foreign language proficiency as a key differentiating factor between interest and non-interest groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: There is a strong interest in international ophthalmology subspecialty fellowships among young ophthalmologists in Türkiye. This study highlights significant demographic, sociological, and academic factors influencing this interest.

Keywords: International training; career development; young ophthalmologists
ÖZET
 Amaç: Türkiye'deki genç göz doktorları arasında uluslararası oftalmoloji yandal eğitimine olan ilgiyi ve bunu etkileyen demografik faktörleri, motivasyonları ve engelleri araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu kesitsel çalışma, Nisan-Temmuz 2024 tarihleri arasında isimsiz çevrimiçi anket başvuru formu ile yürütülmüştür. 14 kurumdan toplam 232 göz doktoru çalışmaya dâhil edilmiştir. Çalışmamızda; bireyleri uluslararası yandal eğitimine olan ilgilerine göre 3 gruba ayırdık: Grup 1'in ilgisi yok, Grup 2 ilgileniyor ancak başvurmadı ve Grup 3, geçmişte bir yurtdışı yandal programına dâhil olmuşlar ve/veya aktif başvuru sürecinde olanları içermektedir. İlgi duyma ve başvurma ile ilişkili etmenler 2 değişkenli analizlerde Pearson ki-kare testi ve çok değişkenli analizlerde multinominal lojistik regresyon analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama yaşı 28,9±3,6 yıldı ve %48,3'ü kadındı. 1. Grupta 43 katılımcı (%18,5), 2. Grupta 126 katılımcı (%54,6) ve 3. Grupta 63 katılımcı (%27,2) vardı. En çok tercih edilen alt uzmanlıklar katarakt ve refraktif cerrahi (%72), kornea ve oküler yüzey hastalıkları (%52,6) ve oküloplastik cerrahi (%52,6) idi; oküloplastik cerrahi asistanlar arasında anlamlı derecede daha yüksekti. En çok tercih edilen lokasyonlar Birleşik Krallık, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, Almanya ve Kanada idi. Kariyer gelişimi birincil motivasyon kaynağı iken, ailesel faktörler ana engeli oluşturuyordu. Uzmanlar, fırsatlar hakkında bilgi sahibi olanlar ve yabancı dillerde yeterlilik sahibi olanlar daha fazla başvurma eğilimindeydi (p<0,05). Çok değişkenli analiz, yabancı dil yeterliliğinin ilgi duyan ve duymayan gruplar arasında önemli bir ayırt edici faktör olduğunu ortaya koydu (p<0,001). Sonuç: Bu çalışma, Türkiye'deki genç oftalmologların uluslararası oftalmoloji yandal eğitimine yoğun ilgisi olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca çalışmamız bu durumu etkileyen demografik, sosyolojik ve akademik faktörler üzerine önemli bulguları sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Uluslararası eğitim; kariyer geliştirme; genç oftalmologlar
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