Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan
Abstract Background Ophthalmology is a crucial aspect of primary care, often featuring prominently in both general practice and emergency settings. With over 2 billion individuals worldwide affected by visual impairment, proficiency in basic ophthalmology is essential for general practitioners and e...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06838-z |
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| author | Rami Al-Omari Khayry Al-Shami Almu’atasim Khamees Saja Karaja Danya Radaideah Omamah Shlool Nedalaldeen Alnajadat Ameera Basim Issa Etoom Manar Al-Shami |
| author_facet | Rami Al-Omari Khayry Al-Shami Almu’atasim Khamees Saja Karaja Danya Radaideah Omamah Shlool Nedalaldeen Alnajadat Ameera Basim Issa Etoom Manar Al-Shami |
| author_sort | Rami Al-Omari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ophthalmology is a crucial aspect of primary care, often featuring prominently in both general practice and emergency settings. With over 2 billion individuals worldwide affected by visual impairment, proficiency in basic ophthalmology is essential for general practitioners and emergency physicians. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 624 medical students from six universities in Jordan. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing knowledge, diagnostic abilities, and treatment skills in ophthalmology, alongside demographic information and student satisfaction with their ophthalmology rotations. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS to identify significant associations between variables, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results The majority of participants (44.6%) were 23 years old, and 59.8% were female. A significant proportion demonstrated proficiency in basic ophthalmic science, particularly in recognizing refractive problems and anatomical structures of the eye. Gaps were identified in understanding advanced topics such as aqueous regulation and the social-psychological impacts of visual impairment. Diagnostic abilities varied, with most students proficient in diagnosing common conditions like conjunctivitis and cataracts, but less so in identifying complex issues like intraocular foreign bodies. Treatment skills were generally lower, with significant disparities based on university affiliation and cumulative averages. Satisfaction with the ophthalmology rotation was positively correlated with better knowledge and diagnostic abilities. Conclusion The study highlights the variable proficiency in ophthalmic knowledge and skills among medical students, influenced by factors such as university affiliation and satisfaction with ophthalmology rotations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c64c557276ec4ba2a80c86d2065d7e07 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-c64c557276ec4ba2a80c86d2065d7e072025-08-20T03:10:51ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-02-0125111110.1186/s12909-025-06838-zEvaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in JordanRami Al-Omari0Khayry Al-Shami1Almu’atasim Khamees2Saja Karaja3Danya Radaideah4Omamah Shlool5Nedalaldeen Alnajadat6Ameera Basim Issa Etoom7Manar Al-Shami8Department of Ophthalmology, Yarmouk UniversityDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk UniversityDepartment of Surgry, Basma Hospital, Minsrty of HealthFaculty of Medicine, Hama UniversityDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk UniversityDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk UniversityDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk UniversityDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk UniversityDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk UniversityAbstract Background Ophthalmology is a crucial aspect of primary care, often featuring prominently in both general practice and emergency settings. With over 2 billion individuals worldwide affected by visual impairment, proficiency in basic ophthalmology is essential for general practitioners and emergency physicians. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 624 medical students from six universities in Jordan. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing knowledge, diagnostic abilities, and treatment skills in ophthalmology, alongside demographic information and student satisfaction with their ophthalmology rotations. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS to identify significant associations between variables, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results The majority of participants (44.6%) were 23 years old, and 59.8% were female. A significant proportion demonstrated proficiency in basic ophthalmic science, particularly in recognizing refractive problems and anatomical structures of the eye. Gaps were identified in understanding advanced topics such as aqueous regulation and the social-psychological impacts of visual impairment. Diagnostic abilities varied, with most students proficient in diagnosing common conditions like conjunctivitis and cataracts, but less so in identifying complex issues like intraocular foreign bodies. Treatment skills were generally lower, with significant disparities based on university affiliation and cumulative averages. Satisfaction with the ophthalmology rotation was positively correlated with better knowledge and diagnostic abilities. Conclusion The study highlights the variable proficiency in ophthalmic knowledge and skills among medical students, influenced by factors such as university affiliation and satisfaction with ophthalmology rotations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06838-zOphthalmology educationPrimary care consultationsVisual impairmentMedical curriculumDiagnostic skillsOphthalmology course |
| spellingShingle | Rami Al-Omari Khayry Al-Shami Almu’atasim Khamees Saja Karaja Danya Radaideah Omamah Shlool Nedalaldeen Alnajadat Ameera Basim Issa Etoom Manar Al-Shami Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan BMC Medical Education Ophthalmology education Primary care consultations Visual impairment Medical curriculum Diagnostic skills Ophthalmology course |
| title | Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan |
| title_full | Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan |
| title_short | Evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students’ competency in eye care: a cross-sectional study in Jordan |
| title_sort | evaluating the impact of undergraduate ophthalmology education on medical students competency in eye care a cross sectional study in jordan |
| topic | Ophthalmology education Primary care consultations Visual impairment Medical curriculum Diagnostic skills Ophthalmology course |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06838-z |
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