The Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education: A Lost Generation of Ophthalmologists?

Purpose: COVID-19 had a significant impact on undergraduate medical education. There has been extensive analysis on the generic impact on medical education, but the individual impact on specialties, particularly ophthalmology, has not been widely researched. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on the undergraduate ophthalmology experience in the UK, characterising the effect on medical education and considered positive outcomes that could be implemented in future undergraduate curricula. Methods: An online-cross sectional study was performed using a 13-item questionnaire in 2023, completed by 101 participants from UK medical schools. This study was conducted through University College London, England. Results: Statistical and qualitative analysis revealed a significant reduction in clinical exposure during the pandemic with an almost complete shift to online lecture-based teaching. This teaching style has been adapted post-pandemic, which is impacting student confidence in dealing with ophthalmic conditions and deterring them from considering ophthalmology as a career. Conclusions: COVID-19 has exacerbated a pre-existing gap in training medical trainees to deal with ophthalmic presentations. With an increase in the proportion of undergraduate medical education taking place online, efforts should be made to ensure students have hands-on, clinical exposure especially in practical placements, such as ophthalmology.