How to create an Ophthalmology Educational Resource
Introduction
Designing an educational resource is a rewarding and exciting way to create learning opportunities and improve the quality of learning experiences for medical students and others. In addition, it can also give you valuable points for your portfolio! Ophthalmology may seem like a challenging specialty to create learning resources for, due to the equipment-specific nature of the clinical assessments with direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, slit-lamps, visual field tests, OCTs, and so on. But don’t let this get to you. With the correct mindset, it is much more achievable than you think.
How to improve ophthalmology placements?
Think back to when you were doing your ophthalmology rotation in medical school – it likely consisted of a week of shadowing eye clinics and potentially operating theatres to watch an eye surgery.
In theatres it can be challenging to get a good view of an eye surgical procedure if not looking down the ophthalmic microscope. In the clinic, you may not see eye signs without using the slit lamp. These factors limit exposure to ophthalmology in medical school to gain a good understanding of the speciality as a potential career.
This is where we can ask - ‘What ways can we get medical students involved?’
Examples include:
Using/loaning a direct ophthalmoscope (Fundoscopy) and using them in the clinic or in the Eye Emergency Department.
Matching diagnoses on fundoscopic images on electronic flashcards (think active recall).
Slit lamp examination teaching for hands-on examination practice (note that this is not a requirement in most medical schools but it really helps increase active involvement in clinics rather than passive learning).
Encouragement of at-least one experience scrubbing in during theatre days and using the ophthalmic microscope during the surgery (where possible).
Facilitating students to take patient histories and present their differential diagnoses to seniors in the Eye Emergency Department.
Arranging short teaching sessions facilitated by trainees and consultants for example, arranging 30 minute bite-sized or lunchtime teaching sessions during ophthalmology rotations.
Arranging lectures or inspiring and insightful talks from ophthalmologists - for example, ‘Day in the life of an ophthalmic surgeon’.
How to start?
The above was a short selection of starting ideas to improve medical education, which can then be developed into an actual educational resource. Pre- and post- placement questionnaires are also a useful way to identify what the students themselves would like to gain out of their ophthalmology placement, what they enjoyed, and what they feel could be improved.
Types of resources
Examples of types of resources you can create include:
Educational written resources such e-books or educational articles (if you interested in writing an educational article for Eye Academy, do get in touch with your idea). (E-learning tool)
Interesting cases you may have in and eye clinic (anonymised).
Tips for arranging undergraduate ophthalmology electives.
Simple slit lamp examination guide or e-book for beginners.
Interactive learning resources (E-learning tool)
Ophthalmology knowledge quizzes.
Examination practice videos.
Eye anatomy labelling activity.
Arranging face-to-face or virtual history and examination teaching sessions (Educational course)
This is often best done in liaison with the medical school or ophthalmology teaching facility so that you can receive senior guidance and support, as well as having access to the equipment and gadgets required to teach for example for suturing teaching.
Arranging a lecture or webinar series for an ophthalmology society (e.g. undergraduate ophthalmology societies) (Educational course)
Who to ask?
Once you know that you want to create or set up an educational course for an ophthalmology department in the trust or deanery you are attached to, the most important step would be to get in contact with them as well as the undergraduate medical school department if your resource is aimed at medical students! They can often provide you with valuable feedback and guidance on your ideas and bring them to life.
Final thoughts
Remember that creating any educational intervention is a real chance to showcase your knowledge and creative ability as a doctor and in medical education. Should your idea be successful, it may inspire a whole new generation of aspiring ophthalmic surgeons. Enjoy the process and good luck!