A Novel 3-Year Longitudinal Pilot Study of Medical Students’ Acquisition and Retention of Screening Eye Examination Skills

Primary health eye care: evaluation of the competence of medical students in performing fundoscopy with the direct ophthalmoscope

“…This compares favourably with a study done by Lippa et al, who found that 72 to 82% of the students in their study could visualise various parts of the fundus. 8 This would suggest that the students managed to master the technique of using the ophthalmoscope to obtain a view of the fundus.…”

“…7 Lippa et al found that, after an initially acceptable level of performance in fundoscopy by medical students who received training in fundoscopy in their second year of study, there was a deterioration in their skills in the following year. 8 After a reinforcement course in their fourth year of study, however, there was a marked improvement in their skills. 8 In another study, Gupta et al found that the confidence of medical students to perform fundoscopy adequately was low after their brief exposure to formal instruction during their medical training.…”

“…8 After a reinforcement course in their fourth year of study, however, there was a marked improvement in their skills. 8 In another study, Gupta et al found that the confidence of medical students to perform fundoscopy adequately was low after their brief exposure to formal instruction during their medical training. 9 This consisted of one week of ophthalmology lectures and three hours of practical instruction in their first year, a four-hour clinical skills session in their second year, and a one-week rotation in ophthalmology in their third year, which included some lectures and a 2.5-day allocation in the ophthalmology clinic.…”

“…Mastering the skill of fundoscopy requires practice, and it may be one of the most difficult skills required for the examination of patients. [7][8][9] There have been a number of studies evaluating fundoscopy skills amongst medical students and primary care physicians. Cordeiro et al have shown the benefit of formal training of medical students by comparing the skills in medical students randomised either to receive or not to receive formal instruction in fundoscopy.…”

Effect of Implementing Instructional Videos in a Physical Examination Course

“…Recent studies conducted in the medical profession have shown an increasing awareness of the deficiency of medical students in their performance of basic PE protocols. One study showed a deficiency in performing basic ophthalmoscope examinations, 2 while another suggested poor detection and knowledge of thyroid examinations. 3 A survey of medical students, interns, and residents portrayed that only a minority considered themselves "skilled" in conducting a thorough PE.…”