PRACTICAL OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SKILLS ACQUISITION WITH SIMULATORS, SELF-EXPLORATION AND COMPUTER ASSISTED ANIMATIONS

Introduction:
Ophthalmological practical skills acquisition is essential for the ophthalmology area of the medical education program. Limitation of space and inconveniences for the patients limit the practical ophthalmic education. We propose three methods in order to facilitate these practical skills. There are simulators, like opththalmoscopy simulator, that allow to use the ophthalmoscope with a manikin, previous to examine a real patient. We have developed some computer-assisted animations that allow to the student to understand the exploration before being in contact with the patient. Finally, the ophthalmological self-exploration of the student is another interesting tool that allow to the student to interiorize the sensations that the patient will have, improving the understanding of the exploration and the results obtained.

Purpose:
To evaluate the utility of computer assisted animations (CAA), ocular fundus simulator and ophthalmologic self-exploration in the acquisition of the practical skills of the Ophthalmology program for medical students.

Methods:
Computer assisted animations have been developed and included in the Blackboard virtual platform (ocular motility, pupillary reflexes, drops application, lacrimal path exploration, visual field interpretation). For the direct ophthalmoscopy, Levy manikin was used before patient’s exploration. Finally, non-invasive ophthalmologic explorations (visual acuity, automatic refraction, neumotonometry, ocular motility) have been practiced by the students in order to enhance their comprehension and interpretation. Satisfaction degree with the system was evaluated.

Results:
In a 1-10 scale, the system obtained a score of 9.26 (SD: 0.93) in global satisfaction and direct ophthalmoscopy manikin usefulness score was the highest scored (9.33; SD: 1.28). The preferred rotations of the students were: ophthalmological emergencies (68.18%), direct ophthalmoscopy manikin (72.2%) and ophthalmic surgery (59.09%). The less useful rotation was Ocular Motiliy (13.63%). All students considered very useful the CAA and have been able to understand and interpret the results of ophthalmic self-explorations performed.

Discussion:
Ophthalmologic practical skills acquisition usually requires patient contact. CAA, simulator and self-exploration can be useful in order to acquire these skills before practicing with patients.