Pilot for a Virtual Regional Ophthalmic Health Disparities Journal Club for Pre-medical and Medical Students: A Three-year Analysis

Authors

Bridget Croniger, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
Ariane Kaplan, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Anjali R. Shah, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Chaesik Kim, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine
Rachel Riddle, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Tannia M. Rodriguez, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
Anju Goyal, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USAFollow

Abstract

Background: Social determinants of health influence ophthalmic health outcomes in the United States. Understanding these factors is crucial for current and future physicians, but there is no standardized curriculum to teach learners about this topic.

Purpose: This pilot study evaluated the impact of three virtual regional ophthalmic health disparities journal clubs on pre-medical and medical students’ understanding of ophthalmic health disparities, interest in ophthalmology, and comfort in appraising medical literature.

Methods: Three annual virtual journal clubs were held in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Each session featured a different peer-reviewed published article related to ophthalmic health disparities as well as the article’s primary author, who participated in the discussions. An optional pre- and post–journal club questionnaire was distributed to attendees to assess their interest in ophthalmology research and practice settings, awareness of ophthalmic health disparities research and its potential to improve clinical outcomes, and comfort in their ability to analyze research articles.

Results: A total of 107 pre-medical and medical students from four institutions in Michigan attended the journal clubs. After attending the journal clubs, students reported an increased interest in academic ophthalmology (p = 0.017), awareness of ophthalmic health disparities research (p < 0.001), comfort in appraising research articles (p < 0.001), and appreciation of the role of ophthalmic health disparities research in contributing to clinical care improvement (p = 0.017).

Conclusion: A virtual regional ophthalmic health disparities journal club can increase medical trainees’ understanding of the role of ophthalmic health disparities research to improve patient care, interest in academic ophthalmology, awareness of ophthalmic health disparities research, and comfort in evaluating medical literature.

Received Date

29/8/2024

Revised Date

21/12/2024

Accepted Date

03/02/2025

Recommended Citation

Croniger, Bridget; Kaplan, Ariane; Shah, Anjali R.; Kim, Chaesik; Riddle, Rachel; Rodriguez, Tannia M.; and Goyal, Anju (2025) "Pilot for a Virtual Regional Ophthalmic Health Disparities Journal Club for Pre-medical and Medical Students: A Three-year Analysis," Journal of Academic Ophthalmology: Vol. 17: Iss. 3, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62199/2475-4757.1314
Available at: https://www.aupojournal.org/jao/vol17/iss3/3