Given the complexity and delicate nature of eye care, highly skilled ophthalmologists are essential to preserving and restoring vision. The journey to becoming an exceptional ophthalmologist is marked by in-depth training, hands-on experience, and access to cutting-edge resources. At the Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg, Germany, the Department of Ophthalmology offers a residency program that not only meets these criteria but exceeds them, fostering a nurturing environment where future specialists can thrive.

Unconscious bias influences the selection of candidates in all types of organizations. This is no different in medical school admissions, where bias often results in the exclusion of talented candidates whose backgrounds and experiences may differ from those of selectors. Bias in admissions perpetuates inequities within medical education, the healthcare workforce, and in health outcomes. Many academic institutions have implemented training to raise awareness of unconscious bias. However, these trainings typically do not teach skills for addressing and mitigating bias that stems from individual and structural sources.

Medical imaging has revolutionized our ability to non-invasively peer into the body and spot problems. However, interpreting such images correctly is a skilled task, requiring years of specialized training. Medical scans show a series of 2D images representing a cross-sectional view of the body; so, identifying specific features and understanding how the image relates to the patient’s body is not straightforward. While 3D medical images can sometimes be created by stacking 2D images together, this typically requires specialized computers, software, and training, making such imagery less accessible for medical education. Illustrative images that can be created quickly and cheaply could greatly enhance medical education and would also be beneficial for clinicians.

This term, the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna is implementing a new learning approach called ‘flipped classroom’. The flipped classroom approach reverses the conventional classroom environment. Instead of attending lectures and doing tasks at home, students first learn at home, share their opinions in an online forum, and then collaborate to complete assignments in the classroom. Traditional learning approaches typically control students’ learning, directing their thoughts and feelings. In contrast, flipped classrooms allow students to study in their own time, motivating them to take control of their own learning and receive guidance from teachers when they need it.