the BIG Questions
SENIOR RESIDENCY or CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP? -Dr. SAMENDRA KARKHUR
Ophthalmology is one of those branches in Medicine which until now did not have a super-specialty degree like DM or MCh. Now PGIMER, Chandigarh is the only institute in India which offers MCh in Vitreo-retina Surgery. However, this does not meet the requirement of several hundred diploma and degree holding ophthalmologists passing out each year in India. These young ophthalmologists seek sub-specialty training in various fields like Vitreo-Retina, Uveitis, Glaucoma, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology, Cornea and Refractive, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Squint. The reasons are firstly the lack of adequate sub-specialty rotation, limited availability of equipment/training in majority of government or private medical colleges in the country that offer post-graduate courses in ophthalmology. Secondly, increasing awareness and rising demand among patients who seek specialty care in ophthalmic problems similar to other fields in medicine. Currently, after post-graduation or diploma in ophthalmology a candidate takes two routes to achieve the sub-specialty training in various fields. These are senior residency (henceforth called ‘SRship’) and clinical fellowships (henceforth called ‘fellowship’). I will discuss these two paths in detail and the advantages/ disadvantages of each; this may help many of my colleague standing at crossroads, in making an informed decision. SRship is termed as the gateway to academic medicine in India. The duration may vary from one to three years and needs to be completed before one can apply for teaching or faculty position in a state or central government institution. In general, state medical colleges accept a candidate for the post of lecturer or assistant professor with one year of SRship from an MCI recognized institution. In central government institutions like AIIMS (New Delhi & all the other AIIMS), PGI Chandigarh, JIPMER Pondicherry, SGPGI Lucknow etc.; three years SRship is usually required before one can be considered for the post of assistant YO TiMES I AUG 2019
