Case-based workshops enhance optometry students’ ethical decision-making skills

Case-based scenario workshops are an effective educational tool for enhancing optometry students’ confidence in navigating ethical dilemmas, according to a study that demonstrates that these workshops can significantly improve students’ ability to apply ethical reasoning in practical situations.

Participants completed surveys before and after attending the workshop. Of the 59 students who took the pre-workshop survey, 49 completed the follow-up survey.

The results showed a significant boost in confidence, with those reporting they felt “very” or “moderately” confident rising from 53% before the workshop to 82% afterward. A statistical analysis (Z = -2.541, P = 0.011) confirmed the effectiveness of the intervention, regardless of students’ prior experience in healthcare or education.

The authors concluded “These results suggest that case-based ethics workshops are an effective educational tool that should be considered for incorporation into optometry and other health profession courses.”

Reference
Hart KM, Connor HR. Ethics in optometry: an educational intervention. Clin Exp Optom. 2024;1-6. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2024.2421439. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39472131.