You should read this book if you are interested in joining the field of ophthalmology in the UK. In fact, if you are just interested in becoming an elite candidate in any field in any country, you can extrapolate the advice for any career.
Dr. Damien Luviano
Chief of Ophthalmology
Retinal Specialist
Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center
Beaumont, Texas, United States of America
What a great book! I wished I had access to the advice contained within this book back when I was first starting out in ophthalmology!
Dr. Anthony Wells
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Glaucoma & Cataract Specialist
Capital Eye Specialists & Wellington Hospital
Capital Eye Specialists & Wellington Hospital
This is a very informative book with clear and practical advice that will maximise the chances of success in securing that elusive post in the highly competitive field of ophthalmology. I highly recommend this book to any junior doctor or medical student seriously considering ophthalmology as a career.
Mr. Alan Ang
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Vitreoretinal Specialist
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Getting the job or training post you really want has never been completely free of effort or stress. Even if you are the only person being interviewed you still have to persuade the panel that they want to appoint you and ophthalmology has now become very competitive. I've often been asked for advice about how to go about putting in an effective application - and often finished wondering if I've included everything that might help. Well, now I can direct people to How to Get that Training Post in Ophthalmology by Ang et al. Its declared aim is to provide 'a complete overview of how to prepare yourself for the challenges of applying for and being accepted into a postgraduate training programme'. It's aimed primarily for those applying within the United Kingdom although many of the principles will apply anywhere and at any level. For £19.99 you get 95 pages packed with strategy, advice and websites in a paperback format that even if not pocket-sized is still very portable. Although packed with guidance the format is still clear and the style readable.
The authors take you logically and comprehensively through from why you might want to consider a career in ophthalmology to the interviews with a chapter on what to do if you are not successful the first time. The appendices provide a model curriculum vitae (CV) and some examples of the sorts of questions that might be asked at an interview. Each of the five chapters can be dipped into and read alone which might be a bit less daunting than reading it from cover to cover in one go. Their message is very clear. You need to plan ahead and work hard to achieve that coveted post. A start in medical school is about as late as they recommend. Nonetheless there is something of value here for everyone from the medical student thinking about a career in ophthalmology to someone who has not been successful in an application for a place on a training programme. It would also be a useful reference for anyone giving careers advice.
Do I have any criticisms? Well, part of the book's value is in being up-to-date with the current application processes. It was published in 2010 and things are already moving on. The underlying principles will not change, but the detail may. I hope this useful publication can keep up. Perhaps an electronic format would provide a means of doing so?
The authors take you logically and comprehensively through from why you might want to consider a career in ophthalmology to the interviews with a chapter on what to do if you are not successful the first time. The appendices provide a model curriculum vitae (CV) and some examples of the sorts of questions that might be asked at an interview. Each of the five chapters can be dipped into and read alone which might be a bit less daunting than reading it from cover to cover in one go. Their message is very clear. You need to plan ahead and work hard to achieve that coveted post. A start in medical school is about as late as they recommend. Nonetheless there is something of value here for everyone from the medical student thinking about a career in ophthalmology to someone who has not been successful in an application for a place on a training programme. It would also be a useful reference for anyone giving careers advice.
Do I have any criticisms? Well, part of the book's value is in being up-to-date with the current application processes. It was published in 2010 and things are already moving on. The underlying principles will not change, but the detail may. I hope this useful publication can keep up. Perhaps an electronic format would provide a means of doing so?
Miss Lucilla Butler
Former Chair of West Midlands Training Committee
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre
Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre
Birmingham, United Kingdom
(Book review from Eye News June/July 2011 issue Vol 18 No 1; Rating 4.5/5)
(Book review from Eye News June/July 2011 issue Vol 18 No 1; Rating 4.5/5)
When a final year medical student previously asked how he could pursue an ophthalmology research project and "get an eye job", I wished I could have told him that there was a book written for this very purpose. Some years later, that young man not only completed and published his project and many more besides, but also secured a training post and published a book on how to get one! In doing so, he has demonstrated the very qualities expected of a prospective trainee, namely enthusiasm, dedication and the motivation to assist and ease the process for aspiring ophthalmologists of the future. This book may not guarantee you an ophthalmology job but it sure will help!
Professor Baljean Dhillon
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Medical Retina & Cornea Specialist
Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion
Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
I wish I had a book like this when I was trying desperately to look for a training job last time!
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Medical Retina & Cataract Specialist
Amersham Hospital
Amersham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
How to get that training post in ophthalmology aims to guide the aspiring ophthalmic tyro in preparation for breaking into one of the most competitive medical specialties. The authors are of appropriately diverse levels of seniority and experience, from the junior trainees, Tan and Lai, to the post-CCST fellow, Ang. Furthermore, the book is enthusiastically endored by an array of renowned ophthalmic specialists.
Notwithstanding time-honoured advice on books and their covers, first impressions are disappointing. The guide is lightweight and the publishing quality cheap, and inside the layout and typeface appear word-processed and slightly amateur.
Fortunately, the content is excellent. Well-researched, comprehensive and thoughtful, every aspect of preparing for this major hurdle has been rigorously addressed.
The guide opens with a concise and objective account of the dramatic changes affecting the ophthalmic training pathway from 2007. This provides essential background behind the new training structure and highlights the increased challenges faced by potential trainees as a result.
The CV chapter offers sound practical advice regarding the various means of making oneself a more attractive and competitive applicant. These pearls of wisdom begin with the undergraduate arena, where potential ophthalmologists will have their first opportunities to express an interest. A variety of opportunities to shine at medical school are outlined in detail, an essential incentive given the limited time interval available between graduation and ST applications, and the high standard of application expected at this early stage. Contact information for prospective grants and bursaries is also amply provided.
Mr. Mark Daniel Doherty
Ophthalmic Trainees' Group
Clinical Glaucoma Fellow
Moorfields Eye Hospital
London, United Kingdom
Since the implementation of Modernising Medical Careers, competitive entry into Ophthalmology has shifted to an earlier 'bottle neck' at ST1 level, rather than the previous one at the old SpR level. "How to Get that Training Post in Ophthalmology' by Ghee Soon Ang, Shi Zhuan Tan, Ken Lee Lai and Bhuma Paranjothy aims to equip aspiring ophthalmologists with the tools required to achieve that coveted training post.
The book guides potential applicants through an overview of Ophthalmology as a specialty, ways to improve your CV, the application process, the interview process and what to do if you are initially unsuccessful. Useful appendices of an example CV, application form questions and interview stations are included.
The language is clear and informal, much suited to its intended audience of medical students and junior doctors. The text is scattered with relevant and useful websites, such as sources of financial support for research and course websites. Many of the courses are worthwhile for all ophthalmologists in training, including those preparing for consultant jobs, particularly those involving management and communication skills. Actual application form and interview questions are supplied which will prove invaluable to the preparation of potential applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged by the chapter giving realistic advice and viable options on what to do if you don't obtain a training post, such as a medical rotation or research. I particularly enjoyed the section on charity and volunteer work, although I do feel this kind of charity work would be more useful for trainees with sufficient experience and skills to be able to make a difference in the third world.
Dr. Habiba Saedon
Ophthalmology Specialty Registrar 3
West Midlands Deanery
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Definitely an excellent resource for all budding ophthalmologists and those with Ophthalmology Specialty Training posts. Well done to the authors for putting it together.
Dr. Farihah Tariq
President of the British Undergraduate Ophthalmology Society
Academic Foundation Year Doctor
Raigmore Hospital
Inverness, United Kingdom
On a different note, before one can consider advanced surgical techniques, one must obtain an ophthalmology training position. In many countries, this is no easy task. How to Get That Training Post in Ophthalmology: The Essential Guide to Getting into an Ophthalmic Postgraduate Training Program (Ang), written by Brian Ang, Shi Zhuan Tan and Ken Lee Lai, helps medical students navigate the selection process in the UK, where “ophthalmology is one of the most sought after specialties. The competition is keen.”
Dr. Leigh Spielberg
Ophthalmology Resident
Rotterdam Eye Hospital
Rotterdam Eye Hospital
Rotterdam, Netherlands
(Book review from Eurotimes June 2014 issue Vol 6)
(Book review from Eurotimes June 2014 issue Vol 6)
This is a great book. I'll be using it as my guide over the next few years. The only criticism I have of it is that it's too focused on the UK system... more Australian content would be fantastic.
Dr. Jan Kokavec
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia
I'm loving my book. It's such a good read. Once read, I'm handing it over to a school friend of my daughter's. He started uni in Sept 10 - studying medicine. He told me at Christmas that he would love to specialise in Ophthalmology but knew it was hard to get into. This book will help him so much. So cleverly written!
Ms. Jane Drain
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Reading, United Kingdom
All in all, we thought that the book was very good, very enjoyable and very readable, even for non-ophthalmologists. We found that the middle to back portions of the book applied not just to those interested in ophthalmology, but also to other specialties as well. We especially liked the way the important sections were highlighted throughout the book. For the amount of information and advice this book contains, we honestly do think that it is significantly underpriced!
Dr. and Mrs. Tan Chuan Ping
Hepatobiliary Surgeon and Dental Surgeon
Royal North Shore Hospital
Royal North Shore Hospital
Sydney, Australia
This book gives extremely practical and useful advice for those who are keen to embark upon a career in ophthalmology. How I wish that there was an equivalent book for neurosurgery! Definitely recommended for all prospective ophthalmologists, whether in the UK or elsewhere in the world.
Mr. Kelvin Woon
Consultant Neurosurgeon
Wellington Hospital
Wellington Hospital
Wellington, New Zealand
