Fostering holistic eye care for children with special educational needs: an interprofessional education program bridging optometry and education.

Autor: Wan K; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HKSAR, China., Lau KH; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HKSAR, China., Wong HY; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HKSAR, China., Yu WY; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HKSAR, China., Cheong AMY; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HKSAR, China.; Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, HKSAR, China.; Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, HKSAR, China., Chung EY; Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK., Lum CW; Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Ting Kok, HKSAR, China., Sin KF; Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Ting Kok, HKSAR, China., Leung TW; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, HKSAR, China. jeffrey.TW.leung@polyu.edu.hk.; Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, HKSAR, China. jeffrey.TW.leung@polyu.edu.hk.; Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, HKSAR, China. jeffrey.TW.leung@polyu.edu.hk.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC medical education [BMC Med Educ] 2024 Nov 21; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 1340. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 21.
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-06350-w
Abstrakt: Purpose: This study outlines the initiation of an interprofessional education (IPE) program designed for optometry and education students. The program aimed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and improve the management of eye health in children with special educational needs (SEN) - a vulnerable and underserved group.
Methods: This program incorporated lectures and workshops to impart essential knowledge about SEN and to develop the necessary attitudes and skills for conducting eye examinations. A key component involved vision screenings at two special education schools, where optometry (n = 43) and education students (n = 39) collaborated to serve 170 children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Quantitative data was gathered pre- and post-program using a single-stage, five-level Likert scale. Qualitative insights were drawn from students' reflective writings to evaluate their learning outcomes, understanding, and confidence in managing eye health for children with SEN.
Results: Of the participants, 37 optometry and 21 education students completed the survey (70.7% response rate). The survey results indicated significant improvements in understanding SEN characteristics (p ≤ 0.013) and increased confidence when conducting eye examinations for children with SEN (p < 0.007) after the training program. The analysis of reflective writings highlighted the program's beneficial impacts on students. They recognized the value of interprofessional collaboration, reported enhanced professional competence, gained deeper insights into their own and their peers' roles within multidisciplinary teams, and developed a strengthened sense of social responsibility.
Conclusion: This IPE program proved to be an effective method for enhancing optometry and education students' knowledge and confidence in managing eye health needs of children with SEN. The findings support the advocacy for continued collaborative efforts between healthcare providers and educators to ensure comprehensive care for this population. Such disciplinary collaboration provides positive evidence in early stages of training in both disciplines.
Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Human ethics and consent to participate: Written informed consent was obtained from the guardians through the schools. All screening procedures adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and were approved by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Human Subjects Ethics Subcommittee (HSEARS20230104006). Consent to publish: The individual(s) depicted have been made aware of the intended use of the image and have provided their consent. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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