Evaluation of Canadian undergraduate ophthalmology medical education at Western University

• Published in: Canadian journal of ophthalmology 2016-10, Vol.51 (5), p.373-377
• Main Authors: Li, Bo, MD, Curts, Dustin, MD, Iordanous, Yiannis, MD, FRCSC, Proulx, Alain, MD, FRCSC, Sharan, Sapna, FRCSC
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Canada; Clinical Competence - standards; Curriculum - standards; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - standards; Educational Measurement; Humans; Internal Medicine; Ophthalmology; Ophthalmology - education; Schools, Medical - standards; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching - standards
• ISSN: 0008-4182; 1715-3360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2016.04.024

Abstract To assess and evaluate the current level of ophthalmology knowledge and teaching curriculum in undergraduate year 3 (MS-3) at Western University. The Undergraduate Medical Education Curriculum at Western University has instituted additional ophthalmology lecture series to all MS-3 students. A test on basic ophthalmic knowledge was administered to MS-3 students immediately before and after lecture series to evaluate the level of knowledge at baseline and after ophthalmology didactic teaching. An evaluation survey was also given to MS-3 students to assess students’ self-perceived level of competency, exposure, and interests in ophthalmology. A total of 134 students attended the ophthalmology lecture series in the study, and 88.1% of students completed the pretest, post-test, and Ophthalmology Education Survey. The average pretest and post-test scores were 40.7% and 75.6% ( p < 0.01), respectively. The average rating from MS-3 students for ophthalmology exposure during medical school education was 2.11 (1 = “very minimal” and 5 = “more than adequate”). The average rating for desire for additional didactic ophthalmology lectures was 4.02 (1 = “strongly disagree” and 5 = “strongly agree”). The average rating for interest in ophthalmology was 2.74 (1 = “very little interest” and 5 = “very strong interest”). The additional ophthalmology lecture series had a positive impact on the level of ophthalmic knowledge among MS-3 students, and a strong desire for more ophthalmology teaching during medical school education was identified, as evidenced by the survey undertaken by students after the lectures.