Abstract
Purpose
In this proof-of-concept pilot study, we aimed to increase nurse practitioner (NP) student knowledge of ophthalmology to prepare NPs for encounters in primary care settings. The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) endorse core knowledge that medical students should achieve. We assess the effectiveness of an innovative ophthalmologist-led curriculum based on these competencies tailored to issues NPs encounter in primary care.
Methods Johns Hopkins University NP students enrolled in a pre–post-cohort study and educational intervention. The didactic program was developed according to AUPO and AAO core ophthalmology content for medical students and was taught in-person by an ophthalmologist. Pre–post-assessments evaluated students' perceived readiness to encounter ophthalmic issues in the clinic and baseline knowledge of core competencies of ophthalmology.
Results
A total of 42 NP students were included in the analysis. NP students improved in core knowledge and readiness to encounter ophthalmology issues. After the educational event, there was a statistically significant improvement in students' ratings of preparedness to obtain a focused history, exam, perform initial management and decide the urgency of a referral for acute painless vision loss (p < 0.001), chronic vision loss (p < 0.001), or a patient with a red/painful eye (p < 0.001). Students showed a statistically significant improvement in postdidactic event core ophthalmology knowledge assessment scores (p = 0.002).
Conclusion
Primary care NPs are increasingly the initial point of contact for patients with ophthalmic complaints, and thus, high-quality and thorough education regarding ophthalmology triage and referral for NPs is necessary. NP student comfort with and knowledge of ophthalmic complaints and triage may be improved by a brief educational intervention taught by an ophthalmologist early in the NP curriculum.
Erratum
It has been brought to the publisher’s attention that the name of the author “Adrienne Scott” was wrongly placed in the HTML and PDF version, published in Volume 15, Number 2 (DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771355). The tagging has been corrected in the HTML version of the article.
Received Date
November 2, 2022
Accepted Date
June 28, 2023
Online Available Date
October 3, 2023
Recommended Citation
Reilly, Grace R.; Russell, Nancy G.; McIltrot, Kimberly; Sisson, Stephen D.; and Scott, Adrienne W.
(2023)
"Nurse Practitioner Students' Knowledge Assessment and Perceived Preparedness to Triage Ophthalmology Complaints in a Primary Care Setting: An Educational Intervention,"
Journal of Academic Ophthalmology: Vol. 15:
Iss.
2, Article 10.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771355
Available at:
https://www.aupojournal.org/jao/vol15/iss2/10
