Assessing General Doctors' Ophthalmic Competency and the Impact of Continuing Professional Development

บทคัดย่อ

Abstract

          Background: Eye conditions are commonly encountered in primary care, requiring general doctors to possess adequate ophthalmic knowledge and skills. However, many general doctors report limited confidence in diagnosing and initiating treatment for eye conditions. With ongoing advances in medical knowledge, continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for maintaining and enhancing clinical competence.
This study aimed to assess the current ophthalmic competence of general doctors and to explore how CPD can improve their ability to diagnose and manage common eye conditions.

          Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among general doctors who had graduated within the past five years. Data were collected via an online questionnaire comprising demographics, confidence in diagnosing and managing eye diseases, multiple-choice knowledge questions, and perceptions of ophthalmology education and CPD. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

          Results: Sixty general doctors completed the survey. The mean age was 26.2 years (SD 1.93), median time since graduation was 18 months (IQR 6-29), and median overall GPA was 3.50 (IQR 3.30-3.70). The mean ophthalmology knowledge score was 81.7% (SD 13.9). Confidence was highest for common eye diseases such as pterygium, hordeolum, and conjunctivitis, and lowest for emergency conditions such as central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and acute angle-closure glaucoma. GPA correlated positively with knowledge scores (r = 0.467, p < 0.001), and ophthalmology course grade significantly predicted performance (Spearman’s ρ = 0.42, p = 0.004). Most respondents preferred CPD activities every 6–12 months.

          Conclusion: Although general doctors demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of common eye conditions, their confidence in managing ophthalmic emergencies remained limited. Academic performance during medical school was a strong predictor of retained knowledge, underscoring the need for enhanced ophthalmology teaching and regular, case-based CPD to strengthen practical skills after graduation.

          Keywords: ophthalmology education; general doctors; CPD; medical education; diagnostic confidence