Background

Despite the importance of ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy examinations in medical practice, many Canadian medical trainees are not comfortable performing these examination techniques. One of the major barriers in determining and acquiring competency in these skills is clinical assessment; instructors cannot visualize the pathology learners are seeing, making it difficult to assess students accurately. Simulation offers a unique approach to imparting and evaluating these skills and allows for repetitive practice, and exposure to various pathologies in a low-risk environment. Due to the current limitations in ophthalmoscopic and otoscopic training, and the potential benefits of simulation training, we aim to investigate whether the use of low-cost simulation devices (OphthoSimTM and OtoSimTM mobile) will improve students' confidence and proficiency in performing these exams.

Methods

Our study sample includes medical educators and undergraduate medical students from all years. Participants will undergo a pre-session assessment of their skills in identifying relevant pathology, followed by a Likert survey about their confidence in ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy. After an information session on the use of the simulation device and a 30-minute free-use session, participants will then undergo a post-session assessment to assess their skills in identifying pathology and a post-session questionnaire about their confidence in the clinical skills.

Expected Results

Due to the inherent inaccuracies of current assessment and feedback on ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy exam skills, low levels of comfort with these exams techniques among medical trainees, and the proven benefits of simulation in other areas of medical training, we expect that the use of these devices will result in an objective increase in students ability to identify pathology and a subjective increase in their confidence in performing these exams.

Conclusions/Significance

The study findings will assist in determining the effectiveness of ophthalmoscopy and otoscopy simulators as a tool for clinical skills teaching and assessment. Positive responses from both medical educators and student participants would support the use of simulated teaching devices to aid in improving examination techniques, assessing learners’ ability to interpret normal and abnormal findings, and improving feedback given to students following examination.