Incorporating a virtual curriculum into ophthalmology education in the coronavirus disease-2019 era

• Published in: Current opinion in ophthalmology Vol. 31; no. 5; p. 380
• Main Authors: Mishra, Kapil, Boland, Michael V, Woreta, Fasika A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; COVID-19; Curriculum; Education, Distance - methods; Education, Distance - organization & administration; Humans; Internship and Residency; Ophthalmology - education; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; United States; United States
• ISSN: 1531-7021
• DOI: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000681

The purpose of this review is to describe the transition of ophthalmology education to a virtual curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight innovative solutions ophthalmic educators implemented for medical students, residents, and fellows. Clinical and surgical ophthalmology volume abruptly decreased in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. All didactics, grand rounds, and journal clubs shifted to an online format. Ophthalmic educators collaborated with other institutions in the United States and abroad on shared virtual curricula and seminars, and simulation-based training tools were better emphasized for surgical skill acquisition. We share the latest literature written by ophthalmic educators on successful adaptation of these new instructional strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed ophthalmology education overnight and accelerated the adoption of innovative e-virtual learning resources for trainees. These changes will undoubtedly remain part of the new paradigm of medical education in the post-COVID era.