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The Undergraduate training program lasted 24 weeks for 12 postings,
usually held in the 1st semester of an academic year. Each posting
is a 2-weeks intensive course for the 4th year medical students
posted to our department.
A clinically-oriented approach to the undergraduate teaching program
has been adopted since 2002, by mean of a problem-oriented and evidence-based
method to common ophthalmic presentations and common eye disorders
relevant to general medicine. This continues to be improved and
adapted upon to ensure maximal exposure and knowledge transfer to
undergraduates.
Teaching Curriculum
Students in their 3rd and 4th year of undergraduate training are
posted to the National University Hospital (NUH) Eye Department,
the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) or the Tan Tock Seng Hospital
(TTSH) Eye Department for a 2-week clinical ophthalmology program.
The students are taught and supervised by a vast pool of experienced
and dedicated clinical teaching faculty who are eye doctors and
specialists themselves.
A series of interactive tutorials and clinical sessions on problem-oriented
approaches to important eye conditions are conducted during the
2-week attachment. Students are also attached to general & subspecialty
ophthalmology clinics, ward and operating theatre that give them
exposure to the common and important eye conditions to hone their
clinical skills.
The assessment of medical students is based on a case study (50%),
multiple choice questions (25%) and a slide quiz (25%). This assessment
contributes to the final mark at the Final Professional Examination
in Medicine.
Ongoing Improvements to the Teaching curriculum
Each year, the department conducts a comprehensive review and revision
of the 2-week clinical attachment program and teaching modules in
Ophthalmology. Medical undergraduate coordinators are appointed
in each institution (NUH, SNEC, and TTSH) to facilitate and assist
in the coordination of the teaching program.
In 2003/2004, the revisions and improvements to program included:
- Reorganization of the teaching program to include more interactive
lectures.
- Incorporating a new tutorial on clinical examination techniques
where students undergo a detailed revision of methods of ophthalmic
physical examination.
- Incorporation of formal diabetic clinic sessions allowing students
to have greater exposure to the assessment and management of patients
with diabetic retinopathy.
The conduct and content of tutorial sessions were also looked into.
Greater emphasis was placed on case discussions, demonstration of
physical signs, and discussion of management. Five to ten patients
would be examined and discussed during these sessions. This would
further allow students to have greater exposure to clinical cases.
These changes would be incorporated into the 2004/2005 program as
well.
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