Oluwatobi O Idowu1, Catherine E Oldenburg1,2, M Reza Vagefi3. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, 10 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. 2. Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, 10 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. reza.vagefi@ucsf.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the status and challenges of oculoplastic surgical services in Nigeria. METHODS: An IRB-exempt, web-based survey was distributed to Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria members via e-mail. Information regarding demographics, type and location of practice, subspecialization training, availability and barriers of oculoplastic surgical services, pattern of oculoplastic diseases and surgical procedures was obtained. Responses were analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Forty-four percent (155/356) of ophthalmologists invited completed the online survey. Of these respondents, 104 (67.1%) do provide oculoplastic surgical services with 8 (5.2%) trained in oculoplastic surgery. Respondents reported most commonly treating eyelid trauma (98.1%), orbital inflammatory diseases (92.1%) and lacrimal system disorders (86.5%) with globe removal procedures (98.1%), eyelid reconstruction (92.1%) and lacrimal drainage procedures (84.5%) being the most common procedures performed in their practices. Barriers to availability of oculoplastic surgical services identified by respondents were few trained oculoplastic surgeons (92.9%), lack of training centers (70.3%) and accessibility of services (60%). On multivariable analysis, predictors of availability of oculoplastic surgical services were greater number of years in practice (P < 0.001) and subspecialty training (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The availability and geographical distribution of oculoplastic surgical services in Nigeria are suboptimal with training deficiencies identified as the main challenge. Strategies to improve availability of oculoplastic care should entail a sustainable training program for this emerging subspecialty and physician deployment to under-resourced areas of the country.
PURPOSE: To assess the status and challenges of oculoplastic surgical services in Nigeria. METHODS: An IRB-exempt, web-based survey was distributed to Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria members via e-mail. Information regarding demographics, type and location of practice, subspecialization training, availability and barriers of oculoplastic surgical services, pattern of oculoplastic diseases and surgical procedures was obtained. Responses were analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Forty-four percent (155/356) of ophthalmologists invited completed the online survey. Of these respondents, 104 (67.1%) do provide oculoplastic surgical services with 8 (5.2%) trained in oculoplastic surgery. Respondents reported most commonly treating eyelid trauma (98.1%), orbital inflammatory diseases (92.1%) and lacrimal system disorders (86.5%) with globe removal procedures (98.1%), eyelid reconstruction (92.1%) and lacrimal drainage procedures (84.5%) being the most common procedures performed in their practices. Barriers to availability of oculoplastic surgical services identified by respondents were few trained oculoplastic surgeons (92.9%), lack of training centers (70.3%) and accessibility of services (60%). On multivariable analysis, predictors of availability of oculoplastic surgical services were greater number of years in practice (P < 0.001) and subspecialty training (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The availability and geographical distribution of oculoplastic surgical services in Nigeria are suboptimal with training deficiencies identified as the main challenge. Strategies to improve availability of oculoplastic care should entail a sustainable training program for this emerging subspecialty and physician deployment to under-resourced areas of the country.
Entities:
Keywords:
Challenges; Nigeria; Oculoplastic; Status; Surgical service
Authors: Caleb Mpyet; Nasiru Muhammad; Mohammed Dantani Adamu; Habila Muazu; Murtala Muhammad Umar; Musa Goyol; Hadi Bala Yahaya; Uwazoeke Onyebuchi; Chris Ogoshi; Tijjani Hussaini; Sunday Isiyaku; Adamani William; Rebecca M Flueckiger; Brian K Chu; Rebecca Willis; Alexandre L Pavluck; Nicholas Olobio; Sophie Phelan; Colin Macleod; Anthony W Solomon Journal: Ophthalmic Epidemiol Date: 2017-02-28 Impact factor: 1.648