Teaching medical students about ophthalmology
John Colvin was a well known Melbourne ophthalmologist who has now passed on. He was famous for teaching medical students ophthalmology on Saturday mornings at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear hospital. His lectures were famous because of his style of teaching which involved playing bugles and ringing bells at important points of the lecture. Probably also to keep students awake. Students came from all universities and medical schools to learn. Today this tradition still caries on without John, with a team of volunteer ophthalmologists. They attend a lecture series each Saturday morning and then attend a practical teaching session in the Eye and Ear clinic.
I have been part of this teaching for the past 3 years as I enjoy the interaction with the medical students. Not all attend and in fact I suspect that it is mainly those who are considering a career in eye surgery.
My role is to teach them basic examination techniques such as measuring vision, examining the back of the eye, visual fields by confrontation etc.