A Future Focused On Ophthalmology
The Age
Saturday January 17, 2004
Dr Anna Pang, currently completing her intern year at the Austin Hospital, wants to pursue a career in ophthalmology. She speaks to ophthalmic surgeon Dr Rick Wolfe, the director of Vista Laser Eye Clinics, about how to get there.
ANNA: I've wanted to do ophthalmology for a number of years. I went to Nepal three years ago and was amazed by the inspiring work being done there with cataract surgery. I got into a medicine/arts degree at the University of Melbourne straight out of high school. Ophthalmology was one of my electives and, during the course, I also spent time on a scholarship working in a rural area with an ophthalmologist. The hands-on nature of the work and the continuity and follow-up with patients appeals to me.
RICK: I graduated from medicine at Monash University in 1975 and have been an ophthalmologist since 1984 - it took 14 years to get there. Becoming a specialist takes a lot of time and application. People come into ophthalmology from different backgrounds. I had done surgical jobs and studied pathology. I have worked in the public system for 15 years and used to be head of clinic at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. I got to the point where I was so busy, and it wasn't helping, so I decided to focus. I established my own practice on the Mornington Peninsula in 1985 and started performing refractive surgery (laser surgery for short-sightedness) 10 years ago. I opened a dedicated laser clinic in Elsternwick in 1997. I also work every fourth weekend at my clinic in Canberra. Around half my work involves refractive surgery; the other half is cataract surgery.
ANNA: Why did you choose ophthalmology over other medical career paths?
RICK: I was interested in a surgical specialty. When I was starting, ophthalmology was about to explode with new procedures and advancements in cataract and laser refractive surgery. By the mid-'80s it had become, in my view, the most interesting specialty because of the technological advancements. I chose it because I wanted a future, and it clearly had an enormous future.
ANNA: A lot of people choose ophthalmology based on lifestyle. How do you view the lifestyle this profession allows?
RICK: If lifestyle matters, ophthalmology is definitely a good choice among other specialties, such as neurosurgery or obstetrics. While you're totally immersed in the work, it also allows you to leave at a decent hour. There aren't that many ophthalmic emergencies that require you in the middle of the night, although I am on call for patients with problems. I start at 8am and finish at around 6pm, and work some weekends. This need for lifestyle is a refreshing change that this generation values.
ANNA: What changes have you seen after almost 20 years in this industry?
RICK: We've had enormous improvement in the outcome of cataract surgery. In terms of adding quality of life to people, cataract surgery is the single most important operation performed in the world because it extends people's quality of life. The World Bank has described it as the most cost-effective surgical intervention.
ANNA: Becoming an ophthalmologist in Australia is competitive. You need medical qualifications and at least two years of postgraduate medical and surgical training before being considered for the five-year training program, which includes exams and behavioural capability tests, accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. The college only admits around six to eight new trainees in Victoria each year.
RICK: Those who want a career in a specialty have to start thinking about it at medical school and absolutely go for it. When you apply for the training, the assessors will look at the type of training you've undertaken, reports from the doctors who've trained you, and any research you've been involved in.
ANNA: What are some of the qualities you need to be an ophthalmologist?
RICK: Good fine-motor skills, co-ordination and perception. You need to become very good at quickly recognising diseases.
ANNA: Is it possible to do a mix of public and private experience?
RICK: Yes. Ophthalmology can be practised at a very high level privately but there is plenty of public work to be done. Most ophthalmologists work in the public system as part of their public commitment. There are 600 ophthalmologists in Australia and plenty of opportunities to make a living.
© 2004 The Age
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