2025 Theses Doctoral

Formative Evaluation of a Newly Implemented Global Ophthalmology Residency Program

Nuskind, Heather Danielle

There are currently 124 accredited ophthalmology programs in the United States. An internet-based search performed in the spring of 2022 revealed that over 20 of these programs have a global ophthalmology elective as part of their curriculum, and this number is steadily growing.

These programs vary by duration, global partnerships, faculty involvement, and various other factors. Countless studies have shown the critical necessity of students, residents, and faculty being adequately prepared to travel for medical programs overseas as well as the consequences of lack of preparation. However, few medical organizations have any formalized preparation guidelines and standards in place. In 2021, Yale Medical School implemented a new global elective program for their ophthalmology residents.

This study partnered with Yale, along with several different key stakeholder groups, to perform a formative evaluation of their elective program to identify expectations, reservations, challenges, and perceptions about residents working overseas. The study examined key factors such as pre-departure preparation, ethical challenges, and clinical training in low-resource settings, and highlighted best practices for program development. The findings offer guidance towards ensuring residents are well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to global eye care resident elective programs.