June's Topic of the month looked at the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in optometry education. This month we are taking a closer look at simulated clinical learning which uses various techniques to replicate real-world patient scenarios, and enhance the development of clinical skills. These simulations allow optometry and ophthalmic dispensing learners to practice clinical techniques in low-stakes environments, make mistakes without patient harm, receive feedback on their performance and circumvent the traditional constraints of time, space and varying geographical locations.
As with anything new, an awareness of the potential disadvantages should also be considered. Simulators can lack realism [1] and the integration of simulation requires time and effort to learn and administer the software. However, when used correctly, simulated clinical learning can significantly enhance optometry education, leading to improved learning experiences:
Practice and repetition: allows students to practice and repeat clinical skills until they are comfortable and proficient.
Safe learning environment: creates a safe and controlled learning environment where students can develop their skills without the pressure of a real patient encounter.
Cost-effectiveness: can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional patient encounters, particularly for exposing students to rare or complex cases.
Individualised learning: can be tailored to the individual learning needs of students, allowing them to focus on specific areas of interest or weakness.
Exposure to diverse cases: can expose students to a wider range of patient conditions and clinical scenarios than would be possible in a traditional clinic setting.
These benefits of simulation based activities are why optometry educators are increasingly seeking to embed them into their curricula.