Identification of Factors that May Predict Career Trajectory Among Uveitis Fellows

Abstract

Purpose: Uveitis was identified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology as an endangered subspecialty with a shrinking workforce and unmatched fellowship positions. Herein, we aim to identify factors contributing to a successful career as a uveitis specialist to improve the fellowship selection process. Methods: Data were collected for ocular inflammation and uveitis fellowship physicians trained during 2014–2024 utilizing publicly available information. Information collected was demographics, residency training location, additional training or degrees, leadership, h-index, and publications stratified by type for both pre- and post-fellowship. Data were analyzed utilizing Wilcoxon rank sum, chi-squared, and Spearman rank sum tests. Results: Of the 84 uveitis specialists, 51.2% were male (n = 43) and most completed medical school (n = 75, 89.3%) and residency in the United States (n = 77, 91.7%). Forty-two percent of fellows had additional subspecialty training and 28.6% had additional graduate degrees. The completion of additional subspecialty training was significantly related to higher post-fellowship publications (mean: 12.4 versus 10.7, p = 0.04). Practicing in an academic setting was statistically related to a higher number of articles published before (p = 0.002) and after (p = 0.05) fellowship, but not total publications after fellowship (p = 0.08). Those with a PhD degree had significantly more publications before (p = 0.04), but not after (p = 0.12) fellowship. Conclusion: Additional subspecialty training was linked to increased academic output, but did not significantly affect leadership roles or academic careers. This suggests the need for further research into factors influencing academic activity and leadership attainment post-fellowship.