A survey on professional identity of ophthalmology residents before standardized resident training

[Objective:] To investigate the current status of professional identity among ophthalmology residents before standardized resident training and to explore the influencing factors. [Methods:] A survey was conducted from July to August 2024 involving 64 clinical ophthalmology residents. The survey assessed their professional identity before standardized resident training and examined the impact and role of pre-residency training on their professional identity. Descriptive analysis, t-tests, univariate analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. [Results:] Before pre-residency training, the scores for overall professional identity, professional cognition, professional emotion, professional commitment, professional behavior, professional expectations, and professional values were (143.16 ± 12.25), (3.60 ± 0.94), (3.98 ± 0.71), (3.61 ± 1.01), (3.89 ± 0.65), (3.84 ± 0.78), and (3.71 ± 0.86), respectively. However, after pre-residency training, the score for professional expectations among ophthalmology residents decreased slightly (P < 0.01), while no significant statistical differences were observed in other items related to professional identity (all P > 0.05). Female residents had higher scores in professional emotion (P = 0.01) and professional values (P = 0.03) than male residents. Ophthalmology residents who had served as student leaders during undergraduate studies had higher scores in professional emotion (P < 0.01). Residents who chose ophthalmology as their first preference had higher scores in professional expectations (P < 0.01) and professional values (P = 0.02). However, no significant differences were found among educational levels, clinical medicine preferences, and professional identity. In addition, pre-residency training enhanced the residents micro-surgical skills and professional confidence. [Conclusions:] The professional identity of clinical ophthalmology medical students before standardized resident training is relatively high but still needs improvement. Professional identity is closely related to factors such as professional views, training content, and teaching resources.