Student Assessment of Undergraduate Training in Ophthalmology

Since 1998, a curriculum reform has been implemented at the Medical School of the State University in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Given that student views are central to curriculum renewal, a survey was conducted of their opinions concerning the Ophthalmology program in the second semester of 2000. Students were asked to complete a questionnaire which included assessment of the Ophthalmology Course and the teaching/learning method, quality control of the program, and self-assessment. The results indicated that 56% of students gave a positive overall assessment of the development of the Ophthalmology curriculum as a Whole. Overall analysis of the available data suggested the need for new attitudes in program elaboration relating to better utilization of teaching hours, clinical practice correlated to classroom theory, and promotion of conditions for students to actively seek knowledge themselves.