Evolution of teaching and
Ophthalmology
3000 BC - writing
• Teaching of scribes
• Philosophers
• Astronomers
• Law
• Religion
• Art
Teaching system mainly by mentors
Military Systems
Rennaiscence
Industrial revolution
Birth of trades and professions
• Learning by demonstration , explanation ,
mentoring , group learning, questioning
and testing.
19th Century – Compulsory learning
• Poor capable of education
• Prussian system – authority
_ rigid curricula
_ rote learning for exams
_detailed theory
Skill acquisition still depended on
apprentice system
20th Century improvements
•
•
•
•
•
Expert teachers
Enhanced knowledge base
Updated textbooks
Case method
Experiential method –deriving meaning and
understanding from experience
• Learning by teaching
21st Century
• Information Technology
data bases
search engines
google , wikipedia
web sites
portable computers
i-phones , i-pads
Ophthalmic technology and learning
• Imaging of the eye - colour , FFA
• OCT , Corneal topography , HRT
• Video recording of surgery
Personal graphic records
Collaborative learning
audit of surgical technique and outcome
wet lab practice
Simulation systems for virtual surgery
Quality of Ophthalmic learning
Teachers
generosity of spirit
time commitment
well trained themselves
personal training in best teaching practice
Trainees
Committed , passionate
self-motivated
insight
Importance of skill acquisition
Good mentors are essential
The Modern Ophthalmologist
• Selected in open competition
• Full knowledge acquisition on-line
• Systematic skills acquisition and upgrading
• Annual auditing and recertification
• Strong ethical framework
Ophthalmic training programmes
should equal those for astronauts
• Strict , regular recertification
• Certification for any new proceedure
• Skills maintainence with compulsory regular
simulation or formal surgical assessment
• Regular presentation of all outcomes (audit)
12 Requisites for an oculist and surgeon
1.
2.
3.
4.
To be descended from religious parents
To be religious himself
To have studied latin, anatomy and medicine
To have studied surgery from youth (those entering
ophthalmology from the plough, manure wagon, or late in
life are unsuitable)
5. To have served an apprenticeship with an
accomplished oculist and surgeon
6. To have healthy young eyes
7. To have fine, settled, healthy hands and fingers
and to be nimble with both hands
12 Requisites for an oculist and surgeon
8 To be able to draw
9 To be married
10 Not to be greedy for money or haughty
11 Not to be a drunkard
12 Not to be presumptuous or vainglorious
As an afterthought, he added “Very few such
oculists exist” George Batisch, Dresden, 1583