J Educ Eval Health Prof.  2014;11:29. 10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.29.

How prepared are medical students to diagnose and manage common ocular conditions

• Esparaz ES
• Binder SB
• Borges NJ

• KMID: 2380948
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.29

Abstract

It is essential that primary care physicians have a solid fund of knowledge of the diagnosis and management of common eye conditions as well as ocular emergencies, as management of these diseases commonly involves appropriate referral to an ophthalmologist. Thus, it is crucial to receive comprehensive clinical knowledge of ophthalmic disease in the primary care setting during medical school. This study investigated how well prepared medical students are to diagnose and manage common ocular conditions. The study used scores from a standardized 12-question quiz administered to fourth-year medical students (N=97; 88% response rate) and second-year medical students (N=97; 97% response rate). The quiz comprising diagnosis and referral management questions covered the most frequently tested ophthalmology topics on board exams and assessed students' ability to recognize when referral to an ophthalmologist is appropriate. Fourth-year medical students had quiz scores ranging from 0%-94.5% with an average score of 68.7%. Second-year students had quiz scores ranging from 27.2%-86.4%, with an average score of 63.8%. Passing rate was 70%. Student's t-test showed fourth-year students had a significantly higher quiz average (P=0.003). In general, both classes performed better on diagnostic questions (fourth-year, 73.7%; second year, 65.8%) rather than on management questions (fourth-year, 64.8%; second year, 61.8%). Both second-year and fourth-year students on average fell short on passing the ophthalmology proficiency quiz, and in general students were more adept at diagnosing rather than managing ocular conditions and emergencies.

Keyword

Disease management; Medical students; Ophthalmology; Primary care; Referral and consultation

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Disease Management
Emergencies
Financial Management
Humans
Ophthalmology
Physicians, Primary Care
Primary Health Care
Referral and Consultation
Schools, Medical
Students, Medical*

Reference

1. Quillen DA, Harper RA, Haik BG. Medical student education in ophthalmology: crisis and opportunity. Ophthalmology. 2005; 112:1867–1868. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2005.05.005.