Abstract:

Aim:
The teaching of ophthalmology in medical schools is in precipitous decline across the globe, especially in Western nations. Our research group has previously defined the extent of the problem in Australia confirming the low confidence levels of final year medical students and junior doctors. We set out to investigate novel approaches to medical education based on the innovative use of new technologies, and assess their effectiveness, engagement and potential for dissemination.

Methods:
Based on previous research, new techniques were studied for teaching ophthalmology. We developed online interactive modules, animations, and gamification of basic concepts. Applications and models were developed and tested on medical student cohorts at the University of New South Wales with pre- and post- testing to measure effectiveness. Qualitative factors such as enjoyment, usefulness and comparisons to traditional teaching were also assessed.

Results:
Online interactive modules increased students test scores and confidence in ocular examination by statistically significant margins (p<0.0001). The modules were considered useful by 78%, and more enjoyable by 77% of students.
Animations improved student knowledge by 24%, confidence by 29% and ophthalmic skills by 20%. Usefulness and enjoyment were consistently rated more than 4/5 on Likert scale questionnaires.
Case-based gamification of the ophthalmic modules demonstrated a 94% increase in participant’s confidence of each question, though only a modest 10% increase in knowledge. Usefulness was 84% and 74% considered these more enjoyable compared to traditional techniques.

Conclusion:
Innovative technologies such as online interactive modules, gamification and animation were shown to improve medical students knowledge, confidence and skills in ophthalmology. This teaching was felt to be useful as well as more enjoyable than traditional didactic teaching methods. New ways of teaching ophthalmic skills and knowledge may offer a promising approach to counter the decline in this important but neglected area of medical education.

Keywords:

Technology, Education, Ophthalmology, Animation, Gamification, Online.