Ophthalmology specialty training for general practitioners in China: current status and the Shenzhen model.

BACKGROUND

The rising burden of ocular diseases in China, including cataract, glaucoma, dry eye, and myopia, highlights the need for stronger primary-level eye care. General practitioners (GPs), as community health "gatekeepers," increasingly require standardized ophthalmology specialty training.However, current training pathways in China lack systematization and uniform standards.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to summarize the international and domestic status of ophthalmology specialty training for GPs and evaluate the implementation process and multi-dimensional outcomes of the Shenzhen Model-an integrated medicine-prevention training program tailored for GPs that facilitates such training through structured curricula, clinical mentorship, and integration of AI-assisted screening tools-to clarify its effectiveness in enhancing GPs' ophthalmic care competency.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive observational study using policy documents, institutional reports, and program evaluation data from Shenzhen Eye Hospital and the Shenzhen Health Capacity-Building and Continuing Education Center (2019-2024). Training curricula, participant enrollment, completion rates, and satisfaction surveys were analyzed. Data were presented in aggregated form and compared across two program cycles.

RESULTS

In China, pilot programs for ophthalmology specialty training among GPs remain heterogeneous. In Shenzhen, two cycles of ophthalmology specialty training were implemented between 2019 and 2024, enrolling 117 GPs. Graduation rates were 75% in 2023 (30/38) and 58.2% in 2024 (46/79). Participant satisfaction improved from 75.0% to 93.9%. AI-enabled ophthalmic screening technology was incorporated into community-based training practice, enabling screening of approximately 33,000 community residents, with a positive detection rate of 11.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

The Shenzhen Model demonstrates a feasible, scalable approach to integrating ophthalmology specialty training for GPs within primary care. By combining structured curricula, clinical mentorship, and intelligent screening technologies, it strengthens community-level eye health services and offers a replicable model for other regions.