The clinical utility of eye exam simulator in enhancing the competency of family physician residents in screening for diabetic retinopathy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of eye exam simulators in the training and assessment of family medicine residents for screening diabetic retinopathy (DR) utilizing direct ophthalmoscopy (DO). METHODS: This prospective, single arm, cross-sectional study was conducted at King AbdulAziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2013, wherein the final year family medicine residents of the Saudi Board family medicine training program, underwent a practical session on DO using an eye exam simulator. The cognitive and motor skills of the participating family residents in performing DO, and their competency at diagnosing DR was assessed before, and after a practical session with the eye simulator. RESULTS: A total of 14 out of total 20 final year residents consented to join the study. Of these, 57.1% were females. A total of 42.9% (6/14) showed initial motor skill competency, and 35.7% showed cognitive skill competency to diagnose DR. Before the session on the eye simulator, merely 7.1% of the residents expressed confidence in performing DO. After the practical session, 78.6% (11/14) showed motor, and 64.3% (9/13) showed cognitive skill competency, in diagnosing DR. A total of 50% were adequately confident in performing DO. A total of 71.4% (10/14) of the residents preferred learning DO via simulation practical sessions than clinical rotation in ophthalmology clinics. CONCLUSION: Eye exam simulators are good tools in learning and assessment of DO skills leading to significant improvement in the efficiency and confidence of family physicians in screening for DR.