Determining the minimum deliberate practice time for fundoscopy proficiency on canine models

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Ophthalmic Examination Techniques
• Comparative Ophthalmology

Background:

• Direct and indirect fundoscopy are fundamental skills for veterinary graduates.
• Limited evidence exists on the optimal practice time for achieving competency in fundoscopy.
• This study addresses the need to define minimum deliberate practice time for canine fundus examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the minimum deliberate practice time required for veterinary students to accurately identify normal and abnormal canine fundus features.
• To compare the practice time needed for direct versus indirect fundoscopy competency.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for veterinary curricula on fundoscopy training.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-three veterinary students participated in deliberate practice sessions using canine simulation models.
• Students trained for 12, 24, or 36 minutes.
• Competency was assessed via an objective structured clinical examination evaluating the identification of fundic structures.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in indirect fundoscopy skills was observed after 24 minutes of practice compared to 12 minutes (p = 0.01).
• Practice beyond 12 minutes did not significantly enhance direct fundoscopy skills (p > 0.1).
• Students reported increased procedural comfort across all practice times for both techniques (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• A minimum of 24 minutes of deliberate practice is necessary for developing indirect fundoscopy skills.
• Direct fundoscopy requires less practice time to achieve competency.
• Findings offer valuable insights for veterinary colleges to optimize fundoscopy training protocols.