Abstract
Purpose: :
To develop a training module for systematic optic disc evaluation and to determine the impact of such a program in residency training.
Methods: :
A training module developed for optic disc evaluation consisted of three parts: (1) a computer based evaluation course, (2) two sets of optic disc photos were used as tests to be completed before and after taking the computer course, (3) a feedback questionnaire. The computer-based optic disc evaluation course consists of 100 optic disc photos featuring normal and glaucomatous optic discs. There are eight steps of evaluation: disc, rim, vessel, cup, color, peripapillary area, nerve fiber layer, and symmetry. A one-page checklist was developed to guide the resident through the pre-course and post-course tests. Each step required identification of 2-3 items of key optic disc features. Points were assigned to each correctly answered item on the checklist for scoring and comparison. Residents were also asked to evaluate the optic disc according to a glaucoma scale (1=definite normal, 5=definite glaucoma). The pre- and post-course tests results were compared.
Results: :
16 residents (7 post-graduate-year [PGY]-2, 4 PGY-3, and 5 PGY-4) completed the training module. There were no statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-course checklist scores in any group of residents. However, the mean glaucoma evaluation scores improved in the group pooling all residents and in the PGY-4 group (p=0.019, and p=0.033, respectively). Comparisons among different groups of post-graduate training, PGY-3 residents performed better than PGY-2 residents in the pre-course checklist test (p=0.039), and PGY-4 residents performed better than the PGY-2 residents in the post-course glaucoma evaluation test (p=0.007).
Conclusions: :
A systematic optic disc evaluation module was developed for residency training. Such a module can provide an objective method to assess the learning experience of ophthalmology residents, monitor the progress of training, and may be used to compare the results among groups of residents across different residency programs.
Keywords: optic disc • learning • detection