Ugandan optometry students' experiences of their clinical training: a qualitative study.
Clinical learning environment
Clinical training
Optometry
Journal
BMC research notes
ISSN: 1756-0500
Titre abrégé: BMC Res Notes
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101462768
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 Oct 2024
07 Oct 2024
Historique:
received:
17
04
2024
accepted:
26
09
2024
medline:
8
10
2024
pubmed:
8
10
2024
entrez:
7
10
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
There is a gradual increase in the number of optometry education programs in Africa yet there is limited knowledge on optometry students' experiences of their clinical training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the optometry students' experiences of their clinical learning environment at a national referral and teaching hospital in Uganda. Between April 2023 and May 2023, face to face in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of the participants. All 16 optometry students in fourth-year at university were purposefully recruited into the study. Data was collected at the end of the students' clinical training at the eye clinic of a national referral and teaching hospital. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis using an inductive thematic approach. Two themes, learning at the eye clinic and organization of the eye clinic, were identified to represent participants' experiences. Each theme had three sub themes. Training optometry students at an eye clinic enhances their clinical skills and knowledge of diagnosing and managing various eye conditions. Future studies should compare optometry students' experiences in lower-level health units to those in national referral hospitals.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
There is a gradual increase in the number of optometry education programs in Africa yet there is limited knowledge on optometry students' experiences of their clinical training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the optometry students' experiences of their clinical learning environment at a national referral and teaching hospital in Uganda.
METHODS
METHODS
Between April 2023 and May 2023, face to face in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of the participants. All 16 optometry students in fourth-year at university were purposefully recruited into the study. Data was collected at the end of the students' clinical training at the eye clinic of a national referral and teaching hospital. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis using an inductive thematic approach.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Two themes, learning at the eye clinic and organization of the eye clinic, were identified to represent participants' experiences. Each theme had three sub themes.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Training optometry students at an eye clinic enhances their clinical skills and knowledge of diagnosing and managing various eye conditions. Future studies should compare optometry students' experiences in lower-level health units to those in national referral hospitals.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39375810
doi: 10.1186/s13104-024-06961-y
pii: 10.1186/s13104-024-06961-y
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
296Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
Références
Kobia-Acquah E, Owusu E, Akuffo KO, Koomson NY, Pascal TM. Career aspirations and factors influencing career choices of optometry students in Ghana. PLoS ONE. 2020;15(5):e0233862.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233862
pubmed: 32470090
pmcid: 7259716
Abu SL. The history and current status of Optometric Education in Africa. Hindsight: J Optometry History. 2020;51(4):84–92.
Moodley VR. Towards a culture of quality assurance in optometric education in sub-saharan Africa. Afr Vis Eye Health. 2019;78(1):1–8.
doi: 10.4102/aveh.v78i1.462
Kiely PM, Chappell R. A global competency based model of scope of practice in optometry. World Council of Optometry; 2015.
Krueger RA, Casey MA. Designing and conducting focus group interviews. Citeseer; 2002. p. 18.
Tavakol M, Sandars J. Quantitative and qualitative methods in medical education research: AMEE Guide 90: part II. Med Teach. 2014;36(10):838–48.
doi: 10.3109/0142159X.2014.915297
pubmed: 24845954
Nowell LS, Norris JM, White DE, Moules NJ. Thematic analysis: striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. Int J Qualitative Methods. 2017;16(1):1609406917733847.
doi: 10.1177/1609406917733847
Yilmaz K. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions: epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. Eur J Educ. 2013;48(2):311–25.
doi: 10.1111/ejed.12014
Kirkman JM, Bentley SA, Armitage JA, Wood-Bradley RJ, Woods CA. Student perspectives of extended clinical placements in optometry: a qualitative study. BMC Med Educ. 2022;22(1):59.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03132-0
pubmed: 35078456
pmcid: 8790849
Denial A, Nehmad L, Appel J. Student and Faculty perceptions of factors influencing the clinical learning experience. Optom Educ. 2011;37(1).
McSharry E, McGloin H, Frizzell AM, Winters-O’Donnell L. The role of the nurse lecturer in clinical practice in the Republic of Ireland. Nurse Educ Pract. 2010;10(4):189–95.
doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2009.08.004
pubmed: 19850523
Adam AB, Druye AA, Kumi-Kyereme A, Osman W, Alhassan A. Nursing and midwifery students’ satisfaction with their clinical rotation experience: the role of the clinical learning environment. Nursing research and practice. 2021;2021.
Denial A. Association of critical thinking skills with clinical performance in Fourth-Year Optometry Students. Optom Educ. 2008;33(3).
WCO Competency Framework for Optometry. Saint Louis, Missouri: World Council of Optometry; 2024.