Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40637257›Full record

ArticleActa ophthalmologica2026

Fellowships across Europe: Insights from the European Board of Ophthalmology Survey.

Rémi Yaïci, Helena Prior Filipe, Lauriana Solecki, Léa Dormegny, Emilia Koestel, Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill, Rimvydas Asoklis, Huban Atilla, Catherine Creuzot-Garcher, Denise Curtin and 13 more

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in Acta ophthalmologica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

23 authors.

Rémi YaïciDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7476-2724
Helena Prior FilipeClinic for Ophthalmology, West Lisbon Hospitals Centre, Hospital Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1081-7570
Lauriana SoleckiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
Léa DormegnyDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
Emilia KoestelDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
Sorcha Ní DhubhghaillDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Brussels and Brussels University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1115-7834
Rimvydas AsoklisDepartment of Ophthalmology, Clinic of Ears, Nose, Throat and Eye Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Huban AtillaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Catherine Creuzot-GarcherDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Dijon, University of Dijon, Dijon, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3587-4598
Denise CurtinConsultant, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Barbara CvenkelDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7402-1854
Lisa FlanaganEBO Secretariat, FS Exam Services, Ltd., in Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Brendan StrongEBO Secretariat, FS Exam Services, Ltd., in Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Tero T KiveläDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Anna MainoManchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Rafael Martinez CostaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Renata IvekovicDepartment of Ophthalmology, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, University Medical Centre SestreMilosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Siegfried PriglingerDepartment of Ophthalmology, LMU Munich, München, Germany.
Christian PruenteDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Marcin StopaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Chair of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan University Hospital, Poznan, Poland.
Marie José TassignonDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
Wagih AclimandosKing's College Hospital, London, UK.
Tristan BourcierDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeAnalyse the results of a European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) survey on post-residency training (fellowship) opportunities across Europe, providing insights from ophthalmic educators on the current landscape.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous 31-question online survey distributed to educators in all EBO-affiliated countries.

resultsThe response rate was 61% with participation of 392 ophthalmic educators. Despite broad participation, Southwestern Europe was overrepresented, while Northern and Central Europe were underrepresented, affecting regional balance. Respondents had a mean age of 51 ± 11 years, with 37.8% as professors and 46.6% as department heads. Most (54.1%) were affiliated with university hospitals. The reported median percentage of residents pursuing post-residency training was 25%, varying between 15% and 100%, with 15.3% of respondents uncertain about their existence, especially in non-university hospitals. Post-residency training durations were predominantly 1 or 2 years. National diplomas were highly valued except in the United Kingdom; language proficiency was required in 84.2% of countries. Respondents reported a median of three positions per department, with 60% filled by local residents. Surgical activity accounted for 65%, with regional variations, whereas 40% of positions involved research. Observerships remained rare (10%). Financial compensation was provided in 67% of cases. A national medical licence was deemed essential, whereas the EBO diploma and letters of recommendation were moderately valued, especially in Northern Europe. Fellowships were highly recommended by 76.2%, while 63% believed that grants would improve access to positions. CONLUSION: This survey represents the largest data set on post-residency training in Europe. Results highlight a lack of cohesion in fellowship opportunities, with many respondents uncertain about national programmes. A national medical licence remains the primary requirement, while language proficiency and financial support are key factors influencing access. Institutional support for medical educators is increasing, yet challenges persist regarding time, resources and funding. Focusing on subspecialty training and research, fellowships are crucial for career progression. Expanding training opportunities through international initiatives could further enhance accessibility and standardisation across Europe.

Indexed as

Education, Medical, GraduateFellowships and ScholarshipsInternship and ResidencyOphthalmologySpecialty BoardsAdultCross-Sectional StudiesEuropeFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesEuropefellowshipmedical educationophthalmologypost‐residency trainingsub‐specialisationsurvey

Identifiers

PMID40637257
PMCPMC12803656

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.