Traditional delivery (TD) group (pre COVID-19 usual ophthalmology module)
Cataract, Gradual loss of vision, Ocular trauma, Sudden loss of vision, Glaucoma
CATARACT, DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, EAR, EYE, MACULAR DEGENERATION, GLAUCOMA
Students (129 students) attended didactic lectures (Red eye, Sudden loss of vision, Gradual loss of vision, Ocular trauma) prior to commencing their clinical attachment. Students were assigned into groups by the SARA (Student, Academic & Regulatory Affairs) office RCSI (10–12 in each) before commencing their clinical attachment week. The traditional ophthalmology module consisted of a review of pre-recorded videos of ophthalmic examinations performed by ophthalmologists in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) on patients and simulated patients. Students attended clinical tutorials (Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)), which consisted of 60-min small group teaching sessions (face-to-face lectures with 15-minute question and answer session) led by an Ophthalmologist. Students then engaged in 60-min of patient led teaching which consisted of taking patient history, reading patient charts, examining patients etc. Students also engaged in practical skills sessions (Patient Based Teaching, Clinical Skills, Outpatients Department) and peer led teaching sessions, where students collaboratively presented in groups of 2 or 3 a joint presentation on a topic assigned at the beginning of the week. Knowledge was tested upon completion of the module via a multiple- choice question (MCQ) exam. Clinical Competency (skills) were assessed by practical examination of fundoscopy skills.