ABSTRACT
We piloted an innovation in teaching by conducting live virtual bedside clinics and evaluated the effectiveness compared to conventional bedside clinics. The purpose is to report the methodology and survey results of this innovation in teaching. A virtual bedside clinic was set up utilizing multiple audio-visual aids at a tertiary eye care facility. The bedside clinic was conducted and streamed live to pre-registered participants across the globe using the Zoom platform. The online survey was conducted comparing its effectiveness with conventional bedside clinics. A total of five sessions were conducted. A total of 2058 participants registered (411/session), of which 938 (45.57%) attended (187/session). A total of 287 participants (30.6%) responded to the survey. The respondents included ophthalmology residents (43.4%), fellows (19%), sub-specialty ophthalmologists (15.4%), general ophthalmologists (12%), and optometrists (9%). More than 95% of the respondents felt that these clinics were equally effective/better in imparting the following: physical examination 97%, clinical knowledge 99.3%, clinical reasoning 98.3%, procedural skills 95%, and communication skills 96.5%. Respondents suggested that these clinics were better/equally effective in the following techniques: general examination (96%), ocular motility (93.3%), nystagmus evaluation (93.3%), and anterior (80%) and posterior segment examination (73.3%). The hybrid mode presentation (97.3%) and discussion with the panel (100%) were reported to be equally effective/much better. Live virtual bedside clinics are a novel and effective way of continuing quality teaching and impactful learning. Most of the bedside manners, procedural skills, and examination techniques can be effectively taught through this virtual platform with a scope to improve anterior and posterior segment examination skills.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To describe the increase in prevalence of ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy (EON) in patients presenting to a single tertiary referral eye care center in India after introduction of weight-based fixed dose combinations and an increase in duration of ethambutol use from 2016 in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, referral hospital-based study of 156 patients with a diagnosis of EON presenting to a single tertiary referral eye care center between January 2016 and December 2019. The main outcome measure was to assess the increase in prevalence of EON cases presenting to our tertiary care institute. Results: During the 4-year study period, 156 new patients were diagnosed with EON. A total of 101 patients (64.7%) were males and 55 (35.3%) were females. The most common age group affected was 41–60 years. The significant complaint at presentation was decreased vision in all the patients. A rising trend in the number of patients diagnosed as EON was seen, with the prevalence increasing from 16 cases in 2016, 13 cases in 2017, and 31 cases in 2018 to 96 cases in 2019. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated an alarming increase in the trend of EON cases presenting to our tertiary care institute.