Abstract
Our current medical student surgical attachment is time-consuming, cost-ineffective, and provides limited case exposure. It is difficult for students to be fully engaged during the course because of the limited 1-week attachment period and the very different nature of ophthalmology compares with other core specialties (e.g. general surgery). Interaction is also limited because the in-charge surgeons operate on conscious patients, work under stressful environments whilst interacting with students. There is a need for a programme that provides comprehensive surgical teaching for medical students under a more favourable environment.
We propose to construct an online programme of basic ophthalmological surgery that contains (1) narrative surgical videos, and (2) online/in-classroom interactive session. It will provide comprehensive and adequate exposure of all the core procedures that medical students need to know (and not just by chance, as in the current setting), as well as a stress-free environment for meaningful student-teacher interaction. We aim to create 15 surgical/procedural videos to be presented on an online platform (e.g. YouTube) that can be used repeatedly for this teaching programme and for other purposes, including: (1) chance for revisit by medical students, (2) postgraduate ophthalmology specialist training, (3) training for scrub nurses, (4) public health education, and (5) charity groups for overseas doctors in other countries (e.g Orbis). The model can potentially apply to other departments in the medical faculty and other university faculties that involve delivery of practical skills. The effectiveness of the programme will be assessed by questionnaires from students, “the number of views” of the videos, as well as the total number of classes and students involved within the period. Results and experiences gained from this programme will be presented in teaching workshops and conferences. The teaching design could potentially be applied to courses in other departments in the medical faculty, other faculties in the university, and courses other than undergraduate education.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
1. to produce at least 15 surgical/laser/clinical ophthalmology procedure videos and create an online platform for the videos;
2. to run 4 workshops for medical students; and
3. to make 2 presentations (regional/international conference) and 1 workshop.
Activities, process and outcomes
Activities and process:
20 edited surgical videos are now available on our website https://master.dwh31b8mvezwm.amplifyapp.com/. 4 workshops were done for a total of 44 medical students during clinical attachment suspension. In addition, materials were utilized for 4 workshops/seminars for regional/international specialist ophthalmologists – a hospital Grand round, a microsurgical training workshop, a webinar training session for ORBIS (a charity group), and an invited lecture in Asia-Pacific Glaucoma congress (APGC).
Outcome:
Feedback from the audience was promising and reflected that the resources were helpful to supplement the canceled traditional surgical attachment during clinical teaching suspension.
Deliverables and evaluation
The teaching and learning processes within the programme will be evaluated as part of its ongoing development and as research into the evolution of architectural education through technology adoption. The 20 surgical videos are now available on the website for the public after registration
https://master.dwh31b8mvezwm.amplifyapp.com/. The objectives were completed. Participants were satisfied with the course. We are preparing the abstract for CUHK Teaching and Learning Innovation ExPo 2022. The project also extended beyond the objectives with 4 workshops/seminars for specialist ophthalmologists (regional, mainland, and international). With this sustainable platform, we are seeking to create more courses with other charity groups (ORBIS).
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
Apart from the above, we have set up “The innovative undergraduate education committee” in our department to adapt developing pedagogy in ophthalmology. The project deliverables were utilized for courses beyond undergraduate medical school teaching. We will share the experience with other departments for future collaboration (e.g. nursing, physiotherapist, surgery).
Impact on teaching and learning
A more comprehensive and standardized exposure of ophthalmology surgery can now be adopted in stress-free environment. Ophthalmologist trainees can learn the surgery on their own. The project also stimulated other possibilities, such as online surgical training sessions with charity groups that cater to less developed regions (e.g. ORBIS).
