The Use of Peer – Supported ‘Case Conferencing’ to Enhance Orthoptic Students’ Learning in a Clinical School Environment
Kylie Robinson, BAppSc(Orth) 1
Zoran Georgievski, BAppSc(Orth) 1,2
Konstandina Koklanis, PhD 2
1 Department & Clinical School of Orthoptics, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
2 Department of Clinical Vision Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
An orthoptic student ‘case conferencing’ program was developed and introduced at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital with the aim of enhancing students’ clinical experience. The aim of this study was to report on this initiative and on students’ perceptions of the program. Students presently undertake their clinical placements in differing modes, according to the semester in which they are enrolled. It was found that students undertaking the ‘block’ placement mode find case conferencing particularly beneficial, the key difference being the increased amount of contact time and engagement compared with students undertaking sessional placement.
