Evaluation of a simulation tool in ophthalmology: application in teaching funduscopy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Eye Retinopathy Trainer® as a teaching tool for direct ophthalmoscopy examination by comparing it with the traditional method using volunteers. Methods: Fourth year medical students received training in direct ophthalmoscopy using a simulation tool and human volunteers. Ninety students were randomized into a Simulation Group or a Control Group by the inclusion or absence of the simulation model in classroom practice. Differences between the groups were analyzed using unpaired Student’s t-test. Results: The Simulation Group was superior to the Control Group, with 51.06% successful in performing fundus examination in both the anatomical model simulation and the human model in comparison with 21.15% in the Control Group. Conclusion: The Eye Retinopathy Trainer® appears to be an effective teaching tool for practice and improvement of ophthalmologic examination among fourth year medical students.

研究目的：本研究旨在通过与借助志愿者的传统教学方法对比，评估眼部视网膜病变训练模拟器（Eye Retinopathy Trainer®）作为直接检眼镜检查教学工具的应用效果。方法：四年级医学生通过模拟工具与人体志愿者两种方式接受直接检眼镜检查培训。90名学生根据课堂实践中是否使用模拟模型，被随机分为模拟组（Simulation Group）与对照组（Control Group）。组间差异采用非配对Student t检验进行统计学分析。结果：模拟组表现优于对照组，在解剖模型模拟与人体模型两项眼底检查操作中，模拟组成功率达51.06%，而对照组仅为21.15%。结论：眼部视网膜病变训练模拟器可作为有效的教学工具，用于提升四年级医学生的眼科检查实践能力。