Impact of free eye clinic participation on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology, and perceptions of underrepresented patient populations

Noor-Us-Sabah Ahmad; Aditya Somisetty; Nicole Hehr; Wisam Najdawi; Hend Al-Kaylani; Lydia Yang; Pavlina S. Kemp; Andrew E. Pouw

doi:10.62199/2475-4757.1021

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Impact of free eye clinic participation on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology, and perceptions of underrepresented patient populations

Journal article

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Impact of free eye clinic participation on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology, and perceptions of underrepresented patient populations

Noor-Us-Sabah Ahmad, Aditya Somisetty, Nicole Hehr, Wisam Najdawi, Hend Al-Kaylani, Lydia Yang, Pavlina S. Kemp and Andrew E. Pouw

Journal of academic ophthalmology (2017), Vol.16(2), 9

11/07/2024

DOI: 10.62199/2475-4757.1021

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Abstract

To evaluate the impact of volunteering at a free eye clinic on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology and of underrepresented patient populations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed by email to both volunteers and non-volunteers at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic’s Free Eye Clinic (FEC) between July and August 2023. Study participants were medical students both enrolled at the Carver College of Medicine and former students who had recently graduated. Survey questions included an assessment of ophthalmic knowledge, respondent perceptions of the field of ophthalmology, and respondent perceptions of underserved populations and barriers to care. Results: 54 participants completed the survey. 20 survey respondents reported volunteering at the free eye clinic (FEC volunteers), whereas 34 did not (non-volunteers). FEC volunteers performed better on ophthalmic knowledge questions (p Conclusions: Volunteering at the FEC had a positive impact on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions about ophthalmology and understanding of underserved populations. This suggests that volunteer experience in a free clinic setting contributes positively to student perceptions and understanding of patient populations that face unique challenges and barriers to care.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Impact of free eye clinic participation on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology, and perceptions of underrepresented patient populations
Creators: Noor-Us-Sabah Ahmad - University of Iowa, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Aditya Somisetty - University of Iowa
Nicole Hehr - University of Iowa
Wisam Najdawi - University of Iowa
Hend Al-Kaylani - University of Iowa
Lydia Yang - University of Iowa
Pavlina S. Kemp - University of Iowa
Andrew E. Pouw - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of academic ophthalmology (2017), Vol.16(2), 9
DOI: 10.62199/2475-4757.1021
ISSN: 2475-4757
eISSN: 2475-4757
Language: English
Date published: 11/07/2024
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984927089102771

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