Comparing Eyesi Virtual Reality Simulator and Traditional Teaching Methods for Direct Ophthalmoscopy: Students' Perspectives at Indiana University School of Medicine

• Published in: Journal of academic ophthalmology (2017) 2021-01, Vol.13 (1), p.e66-e72
• Main Authors: Tso, Hanna L, Young, Jason, Yung, C W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: direct ophthalmoscopy; eyesi; medical education; virtual reality simulator
• ISSN: 2475-4757; 2475-4757
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726349

The fundus examination is an essential part of any ophthalmologic evaluation. However, medical students and primary care physicians often lack confidence with direct ophthalmoscopy. Virtual reality simulators are being employed in medical education to teach this technically challenging examination.  To compare medical student ratings of the Eyesi Direct Ophthalmoscope Simulator and traditional small group teaching methods for learning direct ophthalmoscopy skills.  All medical students at Indiana University School of Medicine traditionally learn direct ophthalmoscopy in their first 2 years during a small group session led by a physician instructor. Students who later enrolled in ophthalmology clinical electives during 2019 and 2020 were invited to additionally complete the Eyesi Direct Ophthalmoscope Simulator virtual reality curriculum. A voluntary, anonymous survey was sent between June and August 2020 to students who had completed both the traditional and Eyesi simulator sessions. Students were asked to rate their confidence in performing direct ophthalmoscopy following each session, and to indicate which teaching method was superior and why. Chi-square analysis was used to compare categorical variables.  Students' confidence ratings for performing direct ophthalmoscopy were significantly higher following completion of the Eyesi simulator session compared with the traditional small group session (