See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333653340 What is a good PhD program in ophthalmology?: Students' perspective Article · December 2018 CITATIONS READS 0 1,546 4 authors, including: Nyawira Mwangi Hillary K. Rono Kenya Medical Training College London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 67 PUBLICATIONS   1,018 CITATIONS    61 PUBLICATIONS   1,461 CITATIONS    SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Simon Arunga London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 32 PUBLICATIONS   860 CITATIONS    SEE PROFILE All content following this page was uploaded by Nyawira Mwangi on 07 June 2019. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Journal of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa December 2018 What is a good PhD program in ophthalmology?: Students’ perspective Mwangi N1, 2, Rono H1, 3, Arunga S1, 4, Mdeme F1, 5 1International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom 2Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi, Kenya 3Kitale County Referral Hospital, Kitale, Kenya 4Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda 5Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, Moshi, Tanzania Corresponding author: Dr Nyawira Mwangi, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. Email: Nyawira.Mwangi@lshtm.ac.uk ABSTRACT Access to doctoral studies is increasing and the impact of PhD programs is generally understood to be positive. However, the lack of clarity about what a PhD entails can be a barrier to student entry into the programs. During the pre-entry period, students need to consider the reasons for choosing to take PhD and the value expected from it. In practice, this involves complex considerations related to personal, institutional, logistical and PhD program characteristics. As such, prospective students would benefit from a reflection on these factors in advance of registering for the PhD. Realising that there is a limited published literature on what makes a PhD ‘good’, in this paper we explore the factors that contribute to students’ perception of a good scholarly engagement. We use an interview format to report on some broad areas of relevant consideration. We conclude that sustained student motivation, effective supervision, adequate facilities and a supportive environment are pertinent for the learning that makes a PhD ‘good’. Key words: PhD, Doctorate, Doctoral students, Eye health, Ophthalmology INTRODUCTION potential students need to consider before choosing a PhD program. This is important to understand, since The significance of doctoral studies in the emerging PhD studies are expensive and lengthy, and a good fit knowledge economy is increasingly receiving of a PhD program is more likely to lead to successful international recognition1. This means that for the completion. Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) region This article highlights key considerations for to be a serious competitor in the global knowledge undertaking a PhD, from a student perspective. We economy, access to quality doctor of philosophy (PhD) aimed to answer the research question ‘What is a good programs need to increase dramatically to meet current PhD?’ with a focus on what a potential student might and future demand. This is especially true for the need to know during the pre-registration phase. Our demand for researchers and supervisors for doctoral hope is that these perspectives, which are derived from students. In the area of eye health, graduate medical lessons learnt on the PhD, will provide guidance for education (such as residency in ophthalmology) is future PhD scholars. We have proposed eight broad fairly available in the region, and there is now a modest areas of important consideration and we frame them as pool of graduates who may be interested and eligible questions. for PhD studies. The benefits of PhD training are particularly relevant to eye care and to these countries MATERIALS AND METHODS as they are actively building an eye health workforce. However, uptake of PhD training remains low due to We report on some reflections of doctoral international several reasons. Firstly, there is notable paucity of PhD students studying at the International Centre for Eye programs that are relevant to the contextual eye health Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical priorities2. Secondly, although there are many driving Medicine (LSHTM). The context of the reflection forces to undertaking a PhD, the return on investment is an informal student discussion during term time. for potential students is often unclear, which may deter The participants are a convenience strategic sample or delay their enrolment and completion of studies3. of students who were in session at the time of the The resultant low student enrolment and completion discussion and who represented different countries. rates means that on the long-term, there are fewer Prompted by the prospect of completion of academics with PhDs in the ECSA region. Thirdly, studies, we discussed about our recent experience. there is limited understanding of contextual factors that After the discussion, we realised the need to share 38 December 2018 Journal of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa these thoughts with an audience of potential students. Mbarara University of Science and Technology, I Thus, we reviewed the themes (domains) that emerged also wanted to better my chances of growth and from our discussion. The first theme related to the pre- p romotion at work. registration considerations, such as how to choose a The first surgical procedure that I performed topic, an institution or a supervisor. The second theme as a resident was an evisceration in an eye with related to the value of the PhD, for example in life-skills severe keratitis. The spill over impact of this was or in increasing employability. Based on these themes, that I developed great interest on the cornea. Thus we developed eight questions to guide us with further naturally I had a predilection for research on reflection (Table 1) and documented our responses. corneal pathology. Meeting Prof Matthew Burton Table 1: Interview questions who has a similar interest reinforced the inclination Domain Questions to corneal research. However, after registering for the PhD at the Pre-registration choices 1. Why should one study London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, for a PhD and how it took me almost whole year to settle down on would one choose a the specific research question that I was going topic? to pursue for my work on ‘microbial keratitis in 2. What individual south-western Uganda’. / personal 2. What individual / personal characteristics/ characteristics/factors factors should you consider before registering should you consider for a PhD? before registering for a One should be highly motivated to go all the PhD? way. PhD is a lot of work with no immediate 3. What are the principal renumeration. There needs to be a strong social/ attributes of a good family support: if one has a partner, the partner supervisor? buy-in is key. If the PhD is to be done in a different 4. How can you choose setting from where one is working, there needs to be the university for your local support to give the person time away to focus PhD? on a PhD such as a study leave, duty coverage etc. 5. What makes a Some level of knowledge in research methods and particular school in analysis is good but this can also be learned during the university good for the PhD Journey. your PhD studies? 3. What are the principal attributes of a good 6. Does the location of supervisor? the university matter? They should be motivated to support you and walk the talk. They should be knowledgeable in that area Value of a PhD 1. What transferable to guide key literature and publication plans, make skills should one learn time to discuss with you, approachable, patient. during the PhD? Having a supervisor who becomes a friend is a 2. What other comments great bonus. would you give about 4. How can you choose the university for your PhD? the characteristics of a This usually depends on the supervisor, the topic and good PhD program? your home situation. You want to get a university where you can get as much support as you need. I RESULTS AND DISCUSSION did my PhD at LSHTM because that is where my supervisor is based and I could not find a local We present the findings and discussion in an interview supervisor. However, it was flexible in allowing me format here below. to do my fieldwork in my home country rather than Simon Arunga staying in London for all the three years. 5. What makes a particular school in the university 1. Simon, why did you choose to study for a PhD good for your PhD studies? and how did you choose the research topic? Support is key in terms of being able to access I love research and always wanted a career in all the additional training and resources that you research. I did my PhD to develop skills as an need. Good universities invest heavily in support academic to be able to do this independently. staff, skills training for their candidates and access Being an ophthalmologist and clinical lecturer at to online resources. 39 Journal of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa December 2018 6. Does the location of the university matter? 3. What are the principal attributes of a good Not really as long as there is flexibility. For supervisor? example, I would not do a PhD away from my home A good supervisor is empathetic, interested in where I have to stay at that particular institution supporting the student’s development and willing to for 3-4 years. consider the student’s point of view. Should also offer 7. What transferable skills should one learn during constructive challenges that enables the student to the PhD? raise standards. The supervisor should have a level As many as one can possibly do. However, you do of openness to enable sharing relevant personal not want to be running from training to training experience with the student, in an atmosphere of just for the sake of it. Usually one should sit down mutual respect, trust and confidentiality. with his/her supervisor, do a skills appraisal, and 4. How can you choose the university for your target the relevant skills to learn. PhD? 8. What other comments would you give about the The availability of the course, costs, the mode of characteristics of a good PhD program? study, as well as the availability of sponsorship and Time is one of the greatest resources during a PhD supervisors are important considerations. process. A good PhD program should prepare and 5. What makes a particular school in the university train you to manage this effectively. good for your PhD studies? The school should have a reputation for effective Furahini Mdeme teaching and should have experienced faculty and supervisors. They should also have the required 1. Furahini, why did you choose to study for a PhD learning materials and the required courses and how did you choose your topic of study? relevant to the PhD should already be in place. From an early stage, I knew I wanted to reach the 6. Does the location of the university matter? highest academic level possible. My father had Yes. Some students would prefer to study close to always talked to me about studying with dedication family while others would prefer to be away, some and obtaining three degrees, and I was determined would have specific preferences for the country or to do that. city of study as well. I completed my fellowship in paediatric 7. What transferable skills should one learn during ophthalmology shortly after my residency the PhD? in ophthalmology. As the sole paediatric How to apply for research/project grants. How ophthalmologist at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical to identify appropriate funders for research and Centre, I serve a large population and operate projects. Skills in statistics and epidemiology. Any on a lot of eyes with paediatric cataract. With skills that you will need in your research. congenital cataract, the visual outcomes are not 8. What other comments would you give about the very good mainly because patients present to us characteristics of a good PhD program? late. This constant challenge has been a compelling A good PhD program has the right inputs in driver towards research that contributes to finding terms of human resource (good supervisors, a solution. Thus for me it was not difficult to choose good statisticians), infrastructure (good recourse ‘congenital cataract in Tanzania’ as the focus of my PhD. library, books, and reliable internet connectivity) PhD study as an intervention should increase plus a well-organised and regular transferable participation in eye health research, which should skills program. have a positive contribution to prevention of visual impairment and blindness. I would encourage more Hillary Rono people from the African continent to take an interest in PhD studies. 1. Rono, why did you choose to study for a PhD 2. What individual / personal characteristics / and how did you choose your research topic? factors should you consider before registering I have always wanted to do a PhD. Taking the for a PhD? Masters in Public Health for Eye Care at the It is prudent to consider the availability of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine preferred course, the costs involved, the availability further inspired me and prompted me to apply for of appropriate supervisors, whether it is a full term PhD positions. I wanted to understand research or part-time basis, whether it is local or foreign- in public health, and participate in generating, based, the time commitments and the impact on the documenting and passing knowledge to the next family. generation. I was interested to develop ideas to full 40 December 2018 Journal of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa programs, critically appraise research and use the be arrangements for access to other areas that evidence to support individuals, institutions and provide an enabling environment such as hospitals the government. or libraries. My initial research interest was on trachoma. This 6. Does the location of the university matter? is what I researched on during residency, and I The location of the university should be near prepared research proposals for a PhD on this. enough to reduce cost of travel and far enough to My second research interest was the intersection reduce interference from your daily work routine. between ophthalmology and technology. I loved The environment should also be peaceful so that physics in school and I have always had an one can move around without fear. interest in engineering (in addition to medicine). 7. What transferable skills should one learn during Ophthalmology gave me opportunity to apply the PhD? some of the concepts in physics. Then as an These include skills for literature search, ophthalmologist, I realised that there was a unique presentation and public speaking, writing skills and need for technologies. A unique opportunity to take teaching skills (especially if you are in a training this up was available and there was stakeholder institution) and skills for lobbying to funders. interest in this research. This is how I moved to work 8. What other comments would you give about the with Peek interventions and research on ‘smart- characteristics of a good PhD program? phone based screening for visual impairment in The program I am enrolled in is a good PhD. It Kenya’. allows for a balance between normal routine work 2. What individual / personal characteristics / and academic work and work environment. I would factors should you consider before registering also emphasize that PhD students need guidance for a PhD? but should not be spoon-fed. Beyond anything else, You should be curious and self-motivated, creating it is a learning experience. time for it, choose an area of study of your interest, Nyawira Mwangi aim to solve a real need, be tolerant, have good interpersonal skills and balanced in life, check if 1. Nyawira, why did you choose to study for a PhD the current environment at home / work place is and how did you choose your topic of study? it supportive for study and consider your future Each potential student who gets shortlisted and career path. invited to typical PhD registration interview is 3. What are the principal attributes of a good asked this question. My motivation arose from supervisor? multiple factors. First, I had an inner personal A good supervisor should be available, supportive drive to take a PhD. I had also taken some research and encouraging, interested in your area of modules and undertaken research projects before research, and has the skill set that you need or is in the PhD, which helped me develop research skills. a team that can expose you to the skills needed (for Further, I had interacted with some PhD students example, the development team at Peek are good in and supervisors earlier on during Master’s information technology which I need to progress). programs. I got a preview (to some extent) of what The supervisor should also demonstrate a level of PhD study should enable you to do. I anticipated flexibility and sensitivity to the local environment that it was going to be both challenging and fun. where the student works – can allow time off to meet emerging needs. The supervisor should also I now wanted to pursue a sustained path of research have published some papers. on a specific topic, so as to generate new knowledge, 4. How can you choose the university for your acquire new skills and make a specific scholarly PhD? contribution. I also considered the wider personal, You would consider the reputation of their degrees professional and even political implications. For and the acceptability of the degree in your county. example, I was keen that the PhD should enhance Having international reach and multiple PhD my academic and research outputs. programs also provides enrichment to your own program. The significance of recent scientific advances in 5. What makes a particular school in the university public health, ophthalmology and health systems good for your PhD studies? intersects in the context of Diabetic Retinopathy The school should have the faculty or access to (DR). It provides a paradigmatic model of how these faculty with the important skill sets for research, disciplines can mutually reinforce the prevention of such as statistics, epidemiology and the technical visual impairment from DR. This area has not yet expertise in your area of study. They should have received sufficient research attention. It is from this the infrastructure and equipment necessary, such lens that we are exploring ‘diabetic retinopathy in as a library and computers. There should also Kenya’. So far, I have enjoyed it. 41 Journal of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa December 2018 2. What individual / personal characteristics / 8. What other comments would you give about the factors should you consider before registering for characteristics of a good PhD program? a PhD? As a student, you need to be ready to become Consider why you are taking the PhD, the invested in your research project (doing it, writing opportunity cost of the PhD (what else you could it and discussing it). You also need to embrace be doing or involved in instead of the PhD) and the creativity and independence as a learner. The role return on investment that you expect to get from the of an advisory team should not be underestimated. PhD (what you expect to gain for every unit time This team is composed of the supervisor(s) and or finance invested). The PhD should have value to you, beyond pecuniary terms. additional members who are invited because they 3. What are the principal attributes of a good have specific complementary skills to guide the PhD supervisor? study and research. A good supervisor is experienced in the area of study, is able to see both the big picture and the CONCLUSIONS small picture, and promotes scholarship, personal development, and professionalism. Feedback to A good PhD is characterised by specific skills the student is especially helpful. The supervisor development, and this requires a motivated student, understands the strengths of the students, and tailors quality supervision, adequate facilities and a supportive the amount of push or independence that is optimal. environment. Doctoral studies provide both a personal 4. How can you choose the university for your PhD? and a societal benefit. We advocate for greater enrolment Find out as much as you can about the university that into doctoral studies that have significance for eye you are considering. Check the website. Check the health. It is necessary to develop shared meaning about research that they are involved in and the research the value of PhD studies. There is also need to eliminate output ranking. Talk to your supervisor or mentor, any barriers that stand in the way of increasing the pool and to current students or alumni of the university. If of doctorate students, the availability of the courses the university runs any Massive Open Online Course and the pool of faculty that can support the courses (MOOCS), participation in the MOOC may give in our institutions. Future research might explore the you some insights. Generally choose a university perspective of supervisors on what makes a good PhD that is reputable and is already running other PhD student. programs. 5. What makes a particular school in the university REFERENCES good for your PhD studies? You can consider the research focus of the school, 1. Neumann R, Tan KK. From PhD to initial as well as the faculty in the school. Most universities employment: the doctorate in a knowledge economy. publish this information on their website. Talking to Studies Higher Educ. 2011; 36(5): 601-614. DOI: current students or alumni of the school is invaluable. 10.1080/03075079.2011.594596 6. Does the location of the university matter? 2. 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Vitae Researcher Development Framework research skills, implementation skills and creativity. https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers-professional- These skills are learnt in the course of PhD-related deve lopment /abou t - the -v i tae - researcher- activities, or in transferable skills courses. The Vitae th Researcher Development Framework4 outlines these development-framework. Accessed 19 August skills. 2018. 42 View publication stats