The Hospital-Based Ophthalmologist and Focused Practice Designation

Host Dr. Jay Sridhar welcomes Dr. Sarwar Zahid to unpack a recent American Journal of Ophthalmology perspective essay on the growing segment of hospital-employed ophthalmologists. They examine the appeal of the hospitalist model—shift-based work, reduced administrative burden, and work-life balance—alongside potential drawbacks, including income ceilings, RVU pressure, and burnout. The conversation broadens to declining physician ownership, the challenges of hospital call coverage, and the downstream threat to residency training. The episode finally shifts to whether a focused practice designation (FPD) could help define subspecialty expertise, improve patient care, and give ophthalmologists a stronger seat at the bargaining table. Discussed in this episode: Thomson M, Browning DJ. The Hospital Employed Ophthalmologist: A Growing Segment of the Profession. Am J Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 18;284:208-215. For all episodes or to claim CME credit for selected episodes, visit www.aao.org/podcasts.