Evaluating Undergraduate Learning in an Ophthalmology Rotation: A Study Using Virtual Questionnaires

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Ophthalmology education for non-specialist physicians is often inadequate for managing ophthalmic cases.
• A Brazilian medical school implemented a two-week ophthalmology rotation to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the learning outcomes of medical students during a two-week ophthalmology clinical rotation.
• To assess improvements in knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving abilities in ophthalmology.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative and qualitative study involving eligible medical students.
• Administration of pre- and post-rotation questionnaires based on International Council of Ophthalmology guidelines.
• Analysis of anonymous data using STATA BE 18, with questionnaire reliability assessed by Kuder-Richardson Formula.

Main Results:

• 36 out of 69 students completed both tests, with acceptable questionnaire reliability (Kuder-Richardson Formula 0.66 and 0.64).
• Mean scores significantly improved from 6.97 to 7.72 (p=0.01), a 10.76% increase, below the 30% target.
• Scores improved in Red Eye/Primary Care Attention but decreased in Posterior Segment and Extraocular Muscles anatomy/physiology.

Conclusions:

• Undergraduate ophthalmology rotation learning was unsatisfactory, indicating a need for improved medical education in ophthalmology.
• This exploratory study highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes to refine ophthalmology training for medical students.