Understanding Visual Impairment and Its Impact on Patients: A Simulation-Based Training in Undergraduate Medical Education

INTRODUCTION: Simulation activities are valuable teaching aids for understanding about living with visual impairment (VI). Our medical students used low-vision simulation spectacles (Sim-specs) to enable learning about VI. METHODS: Students made tea and filled dosette boxes using Sim-specs simulating central visual loss (age-related macular degeneration) and navigated using Sim-specs simulating peripheral visual loss (glaucoma). Facilitators recorded errors made for each task. Students completed questionnaires to grade the tasks’ difficulty on a 4-point Likert-type scale. The students also participated in focus groups to discuss how their approach to working with patients may change following this training. RESULTS: In total, 252 out of 254 students participated. Central visual loss provided the greatest challenge when undertaking fine motor skilled activity (dosette box). Highest average number of errors made was for dosette box task (0.70 error), followed by navigation (0.59), then making tea task (0.34). Students scored the most difficult task on average as the dosette box task (3.23 Likert-type points), followed by navigation (2.97), then making tea task (2.63). Our students have shown learning in recognising the challenges of VI and have adapted their approach to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation activities are valuable additions to the undergraduate curriculum. Such activities can potentially enable greater empathy for our visually impaired patients.