Ophthalmology in Spain

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hello and good morning everyone ..
I'm a medical school graduate at the end of my internship. I'm interested in starting ophthalmology abroad and I heard that Spain has the best ophthalmology centers..

I would really like to know if this is true..
If so, can anyone tell me where is the best centers for residency program in Spain?

best regards


Addy

 

[Wolverine98]

I've never heard that before, and don't know much about the ophthalmology centers in Spain.

I will point out, just in case you weren't aware, that if you're planning on staying in Spain, that's fine. But if you want to come back to the US to practice, you would have to do a residency here, even if you've already completed one there. Not fun, from what I've seen with people I know who have done that.

Dave

 

[rubensan]

I agree with the above post. However, if you want to stay in Spain, El Instituto Ramon Castroviejo de la Universidad de Madrid is a pretty good place to study ophthalmology.

I've never heard that before, and don't know much about the ophthalmology centers in Spain.

I will point out, just in case you weren't aware, that if you're planning on staying in Spain, that's fine. But if you want to come back to the US to practice, you would have to do a residency here, even if you've already completed one there. Not fun, from what I've seen with people I know who have done that.

Dave

 

[ad4545]

Thanks a lot for your comments.
Actually I'm interested in pursuiting a career of ophthalmology in Spain and getting a job there afterward, even though it's a shame that a person has to repeat his whole residency again to be able to work in the US.

I've checked out the place you referred me to, and I'd like your advice in other places in Spain too.

Awaiting for your responses.

Addy

 

[rubensan]

My advice stems from my experience in Madrid as an exchange student in high school. One of my host parents was on faculty there at the time. Back then, I had no idea who Castroviejo was or how famous the institute was until I pursued ophthalmology. Last year, I gave a grand rounds on PUK and stumbled across many of his surgical contibutions to the field of ophthalmology. Trained in the US at the Mayo Clinic, Castroviejo later founded the Institute in Madrid that bears his name. The extensive eye bank that is part of the institute and the many surgical advancements that have been developed there make it one of the most prominent eye centers in Europe and the world. I am afraid that I can not comment on other places in Spain because I have no experience/knowledge of them. I hope what I have known and shared helps you.

Thanks a lot for your comments.
Actually I'm interested in pursuiting a career of ophthalmology in Spain and getting a job there afterward, even though it's a shame that a person has to repeat his whole residency again to be able to work in the US.

I've checked out the place you referred me to, and I'd like your advice in other places in Spain too.

Awaiting for your responses.

Addy

 

[MDEYES]

Don't forget about the Barraquer institute in Spain. Created by probably the most well known ophthalmology family in history (5 generations of ophthalmogists so far)

 

[SAcornea]

i am a licensed, board-certified ophth in the US, but once i too wanted to study and work in spain. i even have a valid medical license to practice there.

first, you should do a med school rotation to find out if indeed you want to do residency, work there, etc. It is probably a better idea to do a residency in the US and then a fellowship there. easier to get, less formalized, you could return to the US (if need be) and your fellowship training would be recognized just like a US fellowship (that is to say neither ACGME or ABO accredited)

As for centers:

Vissum in Alicante with Dr. Jorge Alio
Oviedo has a large Instituto (fernandez vega, i think)
Barraquer in Barcelona

these are private, the gov't residencies are at all the large hospitals in madrid and barca, like Ramon y Cajal, llobregat, etc. Additionally, i don't think you can work in a gov't hospital in the INSALUD System unless you are an EU citizen (not 100% sure)


You should be aware that residencies in continental europe are not like the US. there is no set time frame nor set surgical volume. it is much more like
an apprenticeship, potentially with vastly less surgery, potentially lasting 5-8 years. even the term ophthalmologist does not mean the same. some are medical, others surgical.

in summary, spain's level of ophthalmology is as good as anywhere, but entering into the system is difficult as a resident. Fellowships offer much more flexibility, but they will likely be unpaid. You should look at Moorfield's in London for additional opportunities. docs from all over europe work there, and the surgical volume is muy grande (again, better as a fellow).

 

[sjkpark]

It is probably a better idea to do a residency in the US and then a fellowship there. easier to get, less formalized, you could return to the US (if need be) and your fellowship training would be recognized just like a US fellowship (that is to say neither ACGME or ABO accredited)

Do you mean that none of the US fellowships are ACGME or ABO accredited?
So on the paper, it doesn't matter which country you do your, say, retina fellowship - you can still call yourself a retinal specialist in the United States whether you do it in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, whereever? (provided that you did your residency in the US and is board-certified?)

 

[SHAI5KUM]

I just finished my internship and am looking for a good university hospital to do my residency in opthalmology. Any one can help me in what exactly i need to do?

cheers

 

[toulouselautrec]

Do you mean that none of the US fellowships are ACGME or ABO accredited?

The ACGME doesn't govern fellowships. Fellows in many programs can have attending status when overseeing residents. Like an apprenticeship, someone else said.

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Do you mean that none of the US fellowships are ACGME or ABO accredited?
So on the paper, it doesn't matter which country you do your, say, retina fellowship - you can still call yourself a retinal specialist in the United States whether you do it in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, whereever? (provided that you did your residency in the US and is board-certified?)

Some fellowships may voluntarily follow guidelines of particular private subspecialty organizations, but that is a private and voluntary association, not the same as ACGME certification of a residency program. AAPOS and ASOPRS do this with peds and plastics, for example.

The ABO doesn't accredit residencies, only establishes criteria and does examinations for those seeking board certification in ophthalmology.

Fellowships are still essentially informal and private arrangements, despite the confusion of voluntary officiating and the "official" gloss given them by the match process.