Eve M R Bowers1, Brittany Perzia2, Rikki Enzor3, Owen Clinger4, Sanya Yadav5, Patrick W Commiskey6, Peter Mortensen3, Evan Waxman7. 1. Third-Year Medical Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 2. Third-Year Medical Student, Stony Brook School of Medicine. 3. PGY-4 Ophthalmology Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 4. First-Year Medical Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 5. Second-Year Medical Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 6. PGY-2 Ophthalmology Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 7. Residency Program Director and Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Abstract
Introduction: Current ophthalmologic training in medical school is inadequate in preparing medical students to handle basic eye complaints as nonophthalmology residents. Most medical students are uncomfortable performing eye examinations, but increased ophthalmology training improves confidence in this area. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) teaches students the basics of ophthalmology with a required 1-week rotation during the 1-month specialty care clerkship (SCC), providing students with skills to perform rudimentary eye examinations as nonophthalmology providers. Methods: Within a 1-week ophthalmology rotation, we developed a series of interactive case-based teaching sessions, handouts, and homework that accompanied clinical instruction to familiarize third- and fourth-year medical students with ophthalmic equipment, terminology, diagnosis, and management. Of learners, 67 (roughly 11 per cohort) rotated on six consecutive SCCs beginning in May 2019. All learners completed an in-house exam and received resident clinical evaluations at the end of their rotation. Results: Of the 64 participants who responded to the survey, 100% rated the quality of teaching sessions outstanding or good, and 83% of students strongly agreed or agreed with the statement, "I believe the overall teaching in the ophthalmology clinical settings was good quality." The average clinical and exam score for ophthalmology over 6 months was 4.5 out of 5, and 83% respectively. Discussion: Generally positive student feedback as well as high clinical and exam scores suggested that the required UPSOM ophthalmology clerkship was both engaging and effective. This course can be easily adapted to teach students at other medical institutions.
Introduction: Current ophthalmologic training in medical school is inadequate in preparing medical students to handle basic eye complaints as nonophthalmology residents. Most medical students are uncomfortable performing eye examinations, but increased ophthalmology training improves confidence in this area. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) teaches students the basics of ophthalmology with a required 1-week rotation during the 1-month specialty care clerkship (SCC), providing students with skills to perform rudimentary eye examinations as nonophthalmology providers. Methods: Within a 1-week ophthalmology rotation, we developed a series of interactive case-based teaching sessions, handouts, and homework that accompanied clinical instruction to familiarize third- and fourth-year medical students with ophthalmic equipment, terminology, diagnosis, and management. Of learners, 67 (roughly 11 per cohort) rotated on six consecutive SCCs beginning in May 2019. All learners completed an in-house exam and received resident clinical evaluations at the end of their rotation. Results: Of the 64 participants who responded to the survey, 100% rated the quality of teaching sessions outstanding or good, and 83% of students strongly agreed or agreed with the statement, "I believe the overall teaching in the ophthalmology clinical settings was good quality." The average clinical and exam score for ophthalmology over 6 months was 4.5 out of 5, and 83% respectively. Discussion: Generally positive student feedback as well as high clinical and exam scores suggested that the required UPSOM ophthalmology clerkship was both engaging and effective. This course can be easily adapted to teach students at other medical institutions.
Authors: Julia M Byrd; Michelle R Longmire; Noah P Syme; Cristina Murray-Krezan; Linda Rose Journal: JAMA Ophthalmol Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 7.389