PURPOSE: To verify Ophthalmology resident's and supervisor's perceptions regarding learning and teaching strabismus surgery. DESIGN: Descriptive Study. METHODS: Subjects: 1st and 2nd year residents. Each resident studied the standard strabismus surgery technique on a CD-ROM, then performed a rabbit rectus muscle recession and a strabismus surgery on a patient. A structured questionnaire was handed to the residents, and the authors made observations including variables referring to the surgical technique applied, self-evaluation of this technique and if appropriate training was given. RESULTS: Thirty-eight questionnaires were analysed. All 1st year residents (R1) had had some difficulty remembering the surgery sequence and 69.6% of 2nd year residents (R2). Concerning the surgical material handling, 93.3% of R1 and 52.2% of R2 had had any difficulty. The residents reported that during the surgery in humans, 50% remembered the experimental stage and that this training completely fulfilled their needs for 47% and partially for other 47%. CONCLUSION: Experimental surgery, more practice opportunities and resident's supervision may improve the teaching of strabismus surgery.
Strabismus; Learning; Clinical competence; Internship and residency; Ophthalmology; education; Teaching; methods
