Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science Cover Image for Volume 65, Issue 7
June 2024
Volume 65, Issue 7
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2024
Comparison of simulator-based versus traditional training of fundus biomicroscopy for medical students in a prospective, randomized trial
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Svenja Deuchler
    Augenzentrum Frankfurt, Germany
  • Yaser Abu-Dail
    Department of Ophthalmology, Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultat der Universitat des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
  • Tim Berger
    Department of Ophthalmology, Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultat der Universitat des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
  • Albéric Sneyers
    Department of Ophthalmology, Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultat der Universitat des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
  • Frank H J Koch
    Augenzentrum Frankfurt, Germany
  • Claudia Buedel
    Augenzentrum Frankfurt, Germany
  • Hanns Ackermann
    Institute of Biostatistics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
  • Elias Flockerzi
    Department of Ophthalmology, Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultat der Universitat des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
  • Berthold Seitz
    Department of Ophthalmology, Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultat der Universitat des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Svenja Deuchler Pharmpur GmbH, Code C (Consultant/Contractor), Haag Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Yaser Abu-Dail Haag-Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Tim Berger Haag-Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Albéric Sneyers Haag-Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Frank Koch Pharmpur GmbH, Code C (Consultant/Contractor), Haag Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Claudia Buedel None; Hanns Ackermann None; Elias Flockerzi Haag-Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Berthold Seitz Haag-Streit Simulation, Code C (Consultant/Contractor)
  • Footnotes
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Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2024, Vol.65, 4426. doi:
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    • Get Citation

      Svenja Deuchler, Yaser Abu-Dail, Tim Berger, Albéric Sneyers, Frank H J Koch, Claudia Buedel, Hanns Ackermann, Elias Flockerzi, Berthold Seitz; Comparison of simulator-based versus traditional training of fundus biomicroscopy for medical students in a prospective, randomized trial. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2024;65(7):4426.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : Simulation training is an important component of medical education and simulated direct and indirect funduscopy training was already proven to be an effective training method. In this prospective controlled trial, we investigated the effect of simulator based fundus biomicroscopy training.

Methods : Medical student volunteers in their eighth semester (n=25) were randomised into two groups: The traditional group (n=11) had a supervised training examining classmates; the simulator group (n=14) was trained with the biomicroscopy simulator before passing an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. Two masked ophthalmological faculty trainer graded the students’ fundus biomicroscopy skills. A subjective assessment form and post-assessment surveys were obtained. The Spearman correlation coefficient was computed for Interrater Reliability (IRR). Training groups were statistical analyzed regarding examination grades (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-Exact test), subjective rating (binomial test) and survey responses (contingency tables).

Results : Interrater reliability was verified significantly for the overall score as well as for all subtasks (<0.002) exept subtask 1(p=0.115).
The overall performance of medical students in the fundus biomicroscopy OSCE was statistical significant higher ranked by both observers (p=0.003/ p<0.001) in the simulator group, IRR < 0.001. For all subtasks, the scores given to students trained on simulators were consistently higher than those given to students trained traditionally. For “Finding of relevant fundus structures” statistical significance was narrowly missed for observer 1 (p=0.057), but reached for observer 2 (p<0.001). Both observers scored the simulator group significantly higher for the “correct description of structures found”. No significant difference was seen for the “correct recognition of diseases on clinical pictures”.
The students’ post-assessment forms confirmed these results, students could learn the practical backgrounds of fundus biomicroscopy (p=0.04), the identification (p<0.001) and localization (p<0.001) of pathologies better in the simulator course.

Conclusions : Traditional supervised training methods are well complemented by simulation training. It has been shown that the biomicroscopy simulator enhance students to learn fundus biomicroscopy to feel better prepared for their first patient contacts.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.

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