Student Perceptions of the Ophthalmology Curriculum in Medical School

Abstract

There is no national standard for ophthalmology curricula in U.S. and Canadian medical schools, and over the past 15 years, fewer schools are requiring ophthalmology rotations. AbstractPurpose There is no national standard for ophthalmology curricula in U.S. and Canadian medical schools. We aim to evaluate medical students' perceptions of the current ophthalmology curriculum without mandatory rotation at New York University School of Medicine (NYUSOM). Design A cross-sectional Internet survey. Methods A cross-sectional Internet survey was distributed to all NYUSOM students in March to May 2017. The main parameters measured in the study were students' selfreported confidence with ophthalmology skills and satisfaction with curriculum.Results Response rate was 27.5% (166 of 604) of NYUSOM students. Many students reported they were not comfortable diagnosing eye emergencies (64%), using a direct ophthalmoscope (71%), or testing visual acuity (50%). The majority of students did not want ophthalmology to become a mandatory rotation, but reported additional inperson training would be most helpful, compared with videos, web-based didactics, lectures, or virtual training. Completion of an ophthalmology elective and more hours of ophthalmology training were associated with increased confidence with eye examination and greater satisfaction with the curriculum. Conclusions It is critical for all physicians-in-training to have adequate skills in eye examination. Identifying areas of improvement and determining the best teaching modality will be important in updating the ophthalmology curriculum for medical students. The majority of medical students are not at all or only slightly confident with eye examinations. Increasing the amount of in-person ophthalmology training in medical school improves confidence with eye examination.

Medical Schools’ Ophthalmology Course: An Appraisal by Ophthalmology Residents

“…12 Likewise, more than half of the students at New York University School of Medicine felt uncomfortable diagnosing eye emergencies, and they were less confident in testing visual acuity and using a direct ophthalmoscope. 13 In the present investigation, no significant differences in suitability scores or rates were reported according to residency levels and the region of ophthalmology programs. The same applies to the subcategories of the assessment, including the adequacy and effectiveness of the program, as well as the required improvements.…”

Social Media in Ophthalmology: The Educational and Professional Potential for Medical Students

“…Previous studies have reported medical students lacking in ophthalmologic knowledge 13 or lacking proficiency in basic ocular examination skills. 14 Incorporating focused training and clinical opportunities in ophthalmology can be inherently challenging for medical schools with otherwise established curricula and/or limited time and resources. More challenges might occur if an institution lacks an ophthalmology department or residency program, as I encountered in my medical school career.…”

A Required Ophthalmology Rotation: Providing Medical Students with a Foundation in Eye-Related Diagnoses and Management

“…The required ophthalmology rotation at UPSOM fills a gap in medical school training. Most medical students lack the confidence to perform eye examinations, 9 , 10 yet competency in the basics of ophthalmology is essential to safely evaluate patients with eye complaints in primary care, emergency room, neurology, and other nonophthalmologic settings. 18 , 19 Above-average clinical grades, high exam scores, and completed learning logs show that the UPSOM clerkship effectively familiarized students with ophthalmic equipment, diagnosis, and management.…”

“… 8 Although these guidelines are in place, many medical students still report discomfort in performing clinical techniques such as direct ophthalmoscopy. 9 , 10 A lack of exposure to ophthalmology may result in students discounting ophthalmology as a career. In addition, physicians that graduate from medical school without ophthalmology experience are unlikely to understand the importance of eye health and the scope of practice of ophthalmology.…”