Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study
Introduction: Ophthalmology is a critical component of undergraduate medical education in India. Medical students’ perspectives on learning ophthalmology can provide valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of current teaching methodologies. Aim: To assess the attitude, interest and ch...
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JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
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| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&volume=19&issue=8&page=NC15&issn=0973-709x&id=21413 |
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| author | VS Naggalakshmi Lalithambigai Chellamuthu K Srikanth V Jyothi |
| author_facet | VS Naggalakshmi Lalithambigai Chellamuthu K Srikanth V Jyothi |
| author_sort | VS Naggalakshmi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Ophthalmology is a critical component of undergraduate medical education in India. Medical students’ perspectives on learning ophthalmology can provide valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of current teaching methodologies.
Aim: To assess the attitude, interest and challenges in learning ophthalmology among medical undergraduate students. Further, to explore the experiences, perceived factors influencing learning and suggestions for improvement in teaching and learning ophthalmology among medical undergraduate students at Puducherry, Southern India.
Materials and Methods: The present mixed-method study was conducted among 250 undergraduate medical students at a private medical college in Puducherry, South India, for three months from October to December 2024. Universal sampling was followed for the cross-sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire through google forms was employed to assess students’ attitudes, interests, and challenges in learning ophthalmology. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among 24 purposively selected medical students till the point of saturation. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v20.0, while qualitative data underwent manual content analysis.
Results: A total of 250 undergraduate medical students participated in the present study. The mean age of participants was 22.03±1.35 years. While 126 (50.4%) agreed that the allotted time for ophthalmology teaching was adequate, 74 (29.6%) remained neutral about the effectiveness of one-way didactic teaching. Hands-on clinical exposure was rated as adequate by 91 (36.4%), though 72 (28.8%) remained neutral. FGDs identified key barriers, including exam-oriented teaching, workload of the faculty and lack of knowledge application. Students recommended incorporating multimedia-based teaching, simulation models, and enhanced bedside training.
Conclusion: While students expressed a generally positive attitude toward ophthalmology education, challenges remain in clinical exposure and interactive teaching methodologies. Integrating technology-enhanced learning and structured clinical training could improve competency and engagement, ensuring better preparedness for managing ophthalmic conditions in primary care settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9808d3064684469fbf34e8ffe406bea4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2249-782X 0973-709X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited |
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| series | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-9808d3064684469fbf34e8ffe406bea42025-08-20T03:47:12ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-08-01198NC15NC1910.7860/JCDR/2025/79823.21413Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method StudyVS Naggalakshmi0Lalithambigai Chellamuthu1K Srikanth2V Jyothi3Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeth, Pondicherry, India.Assiatant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeth, Pondicherry, India.Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry, India.Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry, India.Introduction: Ophthalmology is a critical component of undergraduate medical education in India. Medical students’ perspectives on learning ophthalmology can provide valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of current teaching methodologies. Aim: To assess the attitude, interest and challenges in learning ophthalmology among medical undergraduate students. Further, to explore the experiences, perceived factors influencing learning and suggestions for improvement in teaching and learning ophthalmology among medical undergraduate students at Puducherry, Southern India. Materials and Methods: The present mixed-method study was conducted among 250 undergraduate medical students at a private medical college in Puducherry, South India, for three months from October to December 2024. Universal sampling was followed for the cross-sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire through google forms was employed to assess students’ attitudes, interests, and challenges in learning ophthalmology. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among 24 purposively selected medical students till the point of saturation. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v20.0, while qualitative data underwent manual content analysis. Results: A total of 250 undergraduate medical students participated in the present study. The mean age of participants was 22.03±1.35 years. While 126 (50.4%) agreed that the allotted time for ophthalmology teaching was adequate, 74 (29.6%) remained neutral about the effectiveness of one-way didactic teaching. Hands-on clinical exposure was rated as adequate by 91 (36.4%), though 72 (28.8%) remained neutral. FGDs identified key barriers, including exam-oriented teaching, workload of the faculty and lack of knowledge application. Students recommended incorporating multimedia-based teaching, simulation models, and enhanced bedside training. Conclusion: While students expressed a generally positive attitude toward ophthalmology education, challenges remain in clinical exposure and interactive teaching methodologies. Integrating technology-enhanced learning and structured clinical training could improve competency and engagement, ensuring better preparedness for managing ophthalmic conditions in primary care settings.https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&volume=19&issue=8&page=NC15&issn=0973-709x&id=21413clinical competencemedical educationfocus groupsophthalmology |
| spellingShingle | VS Naggalakshmi Lalithambigai Chellamuthu K Srikanth V Jyothi Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research clinical competence medical education focus groups ophthalmology |
| title | Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_full | Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_fullStr | Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_short | Attitude and Challenges of Indian Medical Undergraduate Students in Learning Ophthalmology at Puducherry, Southern India: A Mixed-method Study |
| title_sort | attitude and challenges of indian medical undergraduate students in learning ophthalmology at puducherry southern india a mixed method study |
| topic | clinical competence medical education focus groups ophthalmology |
| url | https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&volume=19&issue=8&page=NC15&issn=0973-709x&id=21413 |
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