The Development and Implementation of a Simulated Patient Resource for Teaching and Assessment in Optometry Low...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Optometry
• Medical Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote learning solutions in optometric education.
• Low vision rehabilitation training requires practical, hands-on experience that was disrupted by restrictions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a simulated patient resource for teaching and assessing low vision rehabilitation.
• To determine the acceptability of this resource among students, assessors, and simulated patients.
• To inform potential future integration into optometric curricula.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods case study approach was employed.
• Evaluations included perspectives from 7 students, 5 assessors, and 5 simulated patients.
• The study focused on acceptability and consensus, not educational impact or validation.

Main Results:

• Broad acceptance of the simulated patient resource for both teaching and assessment (mean scores 7.3-9.6/10).
• Simulated patients found their preparation adequate; students and assessors showed no significant difference in acceptance.
• Positive feedback highlighted detailed scenarios and pre-session training; the College of Optometrists deemed it acceptable.

Conclusions:

• The simulated patient resource is broadly accepted for teaching and assessing low vision practice.
• Significant time and resources are needed for guideline-compliant implementation in high-stakes assessments.
• Further research is required to assess educational impact and validity; real patient encounters remain the preferred method.