Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future, Part 1: Ophthalmic Education and Training - Medical Student Education

On this page:

• Goal
  
  
• Objectives
  
  
• Results
  
  
• Task Force Action Plan

Goal

Ophthalmic education and training are cornerstones of Vision for the Future.

Ophthalmic education and training, including regular assessment of knowledge, are needed to provide ophthalmology education to all medical students, to progressively advance ophthalmology resident physician training programs and to enhance the training for allied ophthalmic personnel.

These activities are central to enabling all people worldwide to have access to quality eye care.

Objectives

Ophthalmology education of all medical students should include at least the knowledge and skills needed to provide an appropriate level of primary eye care and to recognize the indications and needs for referral for specialty ophthalmology management.

Education should also include a basic understanding of the anatomy and function of the eye and visual system and of the frequent causes of preventable blindness in the studentís geographic region as well as the appropriate means for treatment of these causes.

In addition, education should include knowledge regarding the ophthalmic manifestations of systemic disease such as hypertension, neurological disease and metabolic disease; and information regarding diagnosis and treatment of major ophthalmic diseases such as amblyopia, strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and trachoma.

Results

Results to be obtained in regard to medical student education include:

1. Development and dissemination of an evidence-based ophthalmology curriculum for medical students, including assessment of knowledge, that defines the knowledge and skills that should be incorporated in the curriculum for all medical students.
   
   
2. Development and dissemination of variations in the ophthalmology curriculum for medical students that reflect the specific knowledge and skills needed in diverse geographic regions of the world.
   
   
3. Distribution of high-quality teaching materials to medical schools worldwide.
   
   
4. Utilization of the World Wide Web for dissemination of medical student ophthalmology education objectives and materials.
   

Task Force Action Plan

The Medical Student Education Task Force is deeply concerned about ophthalmology teaching programs to medical students worldwide.

Due to the continuing aging of the world population in the 21st century, increasing longevity of human life worldwide, and increasing prevalence of eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, eye care is an increasingly important part of general medical care.

Of particular importance, education should include basic understanding of the frequent causes of preventable blindness in the geographic region of the medical student and the appropriate means of treatment for these conditions.

Ophthalmic manifestations of systemic diseases are common and increasing in prevalence. These relate to medical, neurological and metabolic diseases.

An appropriate ophthalmic education for all students is part of the complete education of the modern physician.

Accordingly, the Medical Student Education Task Force plans include:

1. Formation of a policy statement regarding medical student education to identify the contributions of ophthalmology to general medicine (e.g., ophthalmic photocoagulation to laser medicine), emphasize the interactions of ophthalmology and general medicine (e.g., neuro-ophthalmology and neurology) and promote ophthalmology education for all medical students.
   
   
2. Development of an evidence-based ophthalmology curriculum, including procedures for assessment of knowledge, for medical students.
   
   
3. Recommendations regarding the role of ophthalmologists within medical school faculties.
   
   
4. Encouragement for the distribution of medical student educational materials of high quality.
   
   
5. Utilization of the World Wide Web for transmitting medical student education information.

Next: Ophthalmic Education and Training - Ophthalmology Resident Physician Education and Training

Also see: Table of Contents for the Vision for the Future