Decentralised clinical training in optometry: Student perspectives

African Vision and Eye Health

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Decentralised clinical training in optometry: Student perspectives
 
Creator Hansraj, Rekha Buthelezi, Sduduzile Cassimjee, Ziyaad Haffejee, Faiza Masondo, Nomthandazo Ntshangase, Nomfundo Sonakjee, Akshay Xulu, Mthokozeleni Nxumalo, France
 
Subject Optometry optometry; student perspective; decentralised clinical training; clinical training; public sector
Description Background: Decentralised clinical training (DCT) allows for training outside of central academic sites to within district-based ones with the expectation of enhanced exposure translating into improved competency of students.Aim: To determine student perspectives and experiences with the DCT model in clinical training for optometry.Setting: Data were collected using an online survey created with Google Forms.Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, case-based design using an online questionnaire consisting of a five-category Likert scale was applied in this study. Saturated sampling was utilised to select participants.Results: Most respondents agreed on the acceptability of accommodation (83%) and amenities (85%), but some dissatisfaction with safety (22%), cleanliness (39%) and particularly Internet access (68%) was noted. Onsite equipment was found to be adequate (67%) and in good working order (78%), including general agreement that these aspects enhanced clinical training (72%). A positive impact was also agreed upon by the respondents on important critical cross-field outcomes including confidence (89%), empathy (80%) and teamwork (78%). Clinical training in ocular pathology was found to be better than training in other specialist skills possibly because of lack of appropriate resources (equipment and management devices). Respondents agreed that supervisors were professional (87%), approachable (87%) and key to the learning experience (86%).Conclusion: It can be concluded that DCT placements facilitated overall positive experiences with respect to accommodation, facilities, transport and clinical training, especially in ocular pathology. Supervisors play an important role in the learning during DCT placements. 
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2022-11-08
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — quantitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/aveh.v81i1.742
 
Source African Vision and Eye Health; Vol 81, No 1 (2022); 8 pages 2410-1516 2413-3183
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/742/2002 https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/742/2003 https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/742/2004 https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/742/2005
 
Coverage KwaZulu-Natal 2016-2019 18-30 years; Any gender; Any ethnicity; university students
Rights Copyright (c) 2022 Rekha Hansraj, Sduduzile Buthelezi, Ziyaad Cassimjee, Faiza Haffejee, Nomthandazo Masondo, Nomfundo Ntshangase, Akshay Sonakjee, Mthokozeleni Xulu, France Nxumalo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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