Part 3: Advice from the experts: Helpful information for current residents

In this series, experts in the field advise current residents and offer insight into how they can make the most of their time and experience moving forward with their careers.

Video Transcript:

Editor's note: The below transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Alexander Fein, MD:

Well, I'm a neurologist, so I don't know how much advice I can give an ophthalmology resident, but I guess, from my perspective, try and learn a little bit of the neurologic examination, because finding those little abnormalities can make or break a case.

Victoria Tseng, PhD:

I think, just to stay on top of all the things that are happening, because I wasn't a resident that long ago, but even from then till now, there have been aspects of glaucoma practice that have changed. So being aware of the new studies, ideally even creating some of these new studies, but at least being aware of what's being presented and what's out there. Knowing how to analyze, you know, what's good data, what's not so useful data, and what's something I can apply versus what's something I should wait on. Learning to differentiate all that will be very important for your whole career.

Brian Francis, MD:

I would tell them, you know, learn all you can during your residency. You know, do everything you can, see everything you can. But as I said, it's a lifelong learning process. So when you graduate, you know, kind of set up your practice and your mindset so that you're learning something. I think it's good to try to learn something new every year. You know, it doesn't have to be a whole new procedure or, you know, a different imaging device, but just some nuance of a procedure that you already know. New medications, you know, a different disease that you may not have been familiar with. Just learn something–set a goal of learning something new, significantly, every year during your practice.