Published Paper Details:

Background & Objectives: Many students find ophthalmology clinics uninteresting and cannot understand and appreciate clinical findings. Therefore, they have poor clinical acumen, perform poorly in exams and don�t wish to pursue this field further for postgraduation. Modification of clinical training program using audio-visual aids in addition to conventional bedside teaching may stimulate students �interest in the field, enhance their understanding of subject and improve their performance in exams. This study aims to analyse effect of audio-visual aids in conjunction with bedside teaching on the learning process and experience of undergraduate students attending ophthalmology clinics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted where 69 6th term MBBS students attending ophthalmology clinical postings were randomly divided into two groups. For one group ophthalmology clinics was delivered by conventional bedside teaching while for the other it was supplemented with audio-visual aids. At the end of one month both groups were assessed by means of OSCE and viva voce examinations. Students were given feedback forms and asked to score the teaching program on scales of 1 to 10 (1-poor, 10- excellent) on basis of criteria such as usefulness and content relevance. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in mean internal assessment scores. Bedside teaching with audio visual aids had statistically significant higher overall mean score of positive feedback. Conclusion: This study suggests though bedside teaching is quite effective on, the use of appropriate audio-visual aids as a supplement and not as a substitute to conventional bedside teaching could enhance the students learning experience.