Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method

Background: Bedside teaching is a key component of a positive learning environment where non-technical skills and professional attributes can be taught. It is also one of the few ways to transfer professionalism: a core competency in a health science curriculum. This study investigated the experienc...

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Main Authors: Elzana Kempen, Mathys J. Labuschagne, Mpho P. Jama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2023-11-01
Series:African Vision and Eye Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/859
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author Elzana Kempen
Mathys J. Labuschagne
Mpho P. Jama
author_facet Elzana Kempen
Mathys J. Labuschagne
Mpho P. Jama
author_sort Elzana Kempen
collection DOAJ
description Background: Bedside teaching is a key component of a positive learning environment where non-technical skills and professional attributes can be taught. It is also one of the few ways to transfer professionalism: a core competency in a health science curriculum. This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of optometry students on bedside teaching to improve its effectiveness, and tailor it to the needs of the millennial generation students. Aim: This study aimed to determine the experiences and perceptions of optometry students on bedside teaching (apprenticeship) during an ocular pathology clinic. Setting: The study was done at the Department of Optometry at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative case study was undertaken. All 17 final-year optometry students (N = 17) were invited to participate. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire. Content analysis was used to analyse the experiences and perceptions of the participants. Results: Bedside teaching is a generally well-perceived experience from the student’s perspective. The role of the supervisor was mentioned as the critical factor that facilitated learning, specifically learning by observing the application of theory and handling and treatment of the patient. Conclusion: This study showed that millennial students perceived bedside teaching positively and provided valuable insights into this teaching and learning method in an undergraduate optometry clinical education setting. Experiential learning benefited these millennial students who prefer learning by observation. Contribution: A blueprint for the learning triad in bedside teaching is provided for optometry educators to apply this teaching and learning method successfully according to the needs of the current generation of students.
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spelling doaj.art-0e8a43793ba64b589b8640392b745a212023-12-04T07:57:18ZengAOSISAfrican Vision and Eye Health2413-31832410-15162023-11-01821e1e710.4102/aveh.v82i1.859558Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning methodElzana Kempen0Mathys J. Labuschagne1Mpho P. Jama2Division Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinClinical Simulation and Skills Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinDivision Student Learning and Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinBackground: Bedside teaching is a key component of a positive learning environment where non-technical skills and professional attributes can be taught. It is also one of the few ways to transfer professionalism: a core competency in a health science curriculum. This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of optometry students on bedside teaching to improve its effectiveness, and tailor it to the needs of the millennial generation students. Aim: This study aimed to determine the experiences and perceptions of optometry students on bedside teaching (apprenticeship) during an ocular pathology clinic. Setting: The study was done at the Department of Optometry at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative case study was undertaken. All 17 final-year optometry students (N = 17) were invited to participate. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire. Content analysis was used to analyse the experiences and perceptions of the participants. Results: Bedside teaching is a generally well-perceived experience from the student’s perspective. The role of the supervisor was mentioned as the critical factor that facilitated learning, specifically learning by observing the application of theory and handling and treatment of the patient. Conclusion: This study showed that millennial students perceived bedside teaching positively and provided valuable insights into this teaching and learning method in an undergraduate optometry clinical education setting. Experiential learning benefited these millennial students who prefer learning by observation. Contribution: A blueprint for the learning triad in bedside teaching is provided for optometry educators to apply this teaching and learning method successfully according to the needs of the current generation of students.https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/859bedside teachingoptometry educationclinical learning environmentmillennial generationqualitative research
spellingShingle Elzana Kempen
Mathys J. Labuschagne
Mpho P. Jama
Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
African Vision and Eye Health
bedside teaching
optometry education
clinical learning environment
millennial generation
qualitative research
title Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
title_full Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
title_fullStr Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
title_full_unstemmed Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
title_short Bedside teaching in optometry: A millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
title_sort bedside teaching in optometry a millennial view on an ancient teaching and learning method
topic bedside teaching
optometry education
clinical learning environment
millennial generation
qualitative research
url https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/859
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AT mphopjama bedsideteachinginoptometryamillennialviewonanancientteachingandlearningmethod