Transforming Ophthalmology Training via Mobile Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Job Satisfaction among Ophthalmologists in Iran

Purpose: To estimate the level of job satisfaction among ophthalmologists in Iran and determine the associated factors that may impact their overall job satisfaction. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 181 ophthalmologists (79.0% male) were interviewed by the Warr-Cook-Wall questionnaire with 7-point-Likert scale, which transformed responses from a 0 (most dissatisfied) to 100 (most satisfied). Questionnaires were randomly distributed among registered ophthalmologists at the 29th Annual Congress of the Iranian Society of Ophthalmology in November 2019. Satisfaction under each scale was considered as a score of >60% of the total score. Results: A total of 181 ophthalmologists with a mean age of 47.8 ± 12.1 years and 16 ± 12 years of practice participated in the present study. They were mostly satisfied with their job as a whole (88.1%, mean score: 60.6 ± 20.7) and dissatisfied with their income (55.9%, mean score: 47.6 ± 20.3). High levels of job satisfaction were found among ophthalmologists with longer duration of practice (P < 0.001) while lower levels of satisfaction were identified among those who worked in academic centers (P = 0.004). Conclusion: In this study, high levels of job satisfaction were found among ophthalmologists with longer duration of practice while low levels of satisfaction were identified among ophthalmologists who worked in academic centers. The factors of salary and working hours accounted for the least levels of job satisfaction

Introducing a mobile learning model in medical education during COVID-19; a critical review

Introduction: Mobile learning is one of the innovative teaching techniques that help medical students gain knowledge and skills. One of the factors that expanded the use of this strategy was the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the educational pedagogy of such technology has been neglected. This article aimed to critically review available mobile learning models in medical education to suggest a comprehensive model in the field of mobile learning.Methods: We conducted this critical review based on the five steps of the Carnwell and Daly method. For a comprehensive systematic search from 2000 to April 2021, the following keywords were used: Personal Digital Assistant, m learning, Mobile learning, Ubiquitous learning, U learning, medical students, and medical education. 3176 studies in PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, Magiran, and Web of Science were identified. In total, 8 articles entered the study.Results: Eight models of mobile learning in medical education were identified. The key features of each model were extracted and integrated into the new model for the successful design and implementation of mobile learning. This model includes three main elements of mobile learning: 1-stakeholders, 2-interaction, and 3-technology, which are influenced by external factors including Mobiquette, legitimacy, and awareness.Conclusion: The results of this study are an important contribution to the knowledge collection in mobile learning inmedical education. We introduced a comprehensive model of mobile learning including specific characteristics of strategies in the context of medical education

Psychological Impact of COVID- 19 on the Ophthalmologists in Iran

Purpose: To identify the psychological impact of coronavirus disease on ophthalmologists practicing in Iran between August and December 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional online survey, a standard Patient Health Questionnaire- 9 (PHQ- 9) was completed by 228 ophthalmologists who were practicing in Iran. The PHQ- 9 questionnaire was revised by adding two additional questions specifically applicable for the assessment of the psychological impact of coronavirus disease on the Iranian ophthalmologists. An organized classification regarding the assessment of different depression severities identified as no (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), or severe (15–21) was then considered for data analysis. Results: The mean age of our participants was 49.0 ± 15.61 years and the majority of them (67.1%) were male. Depression was discovered in 73.68% (n = 168) with different severities ranging from mild (n = 61, 26.75%), moderate (n = 63, 27.63%), and severe (n = 44, 19.3%). It was found that participants with depression were older as compared to those without depression (P = 0.038). Higher percentages of severe depression were noticed in the high-risk regions contaminated with coronavirus as compared to the other low-risk regions (P = 0.003). Based on multivariable models, we determined that ophthalmologists who were somewhat concerned about their training/ profession (OR: 0.240; 95% CI: 0.086–0.672; P = 0.007) and those with no concerns about their income had lower association with depression (OR: 0.065; 95% CI: 0.005–0.91; P = 0.042). Conclusion: High prevalence of depression was observed among older-aged Iranian ophthalmologists living in high-risk contaminated regions who possessed serious concerns with respect to their training/profession and income. It is recommended that the health policymakers of Iran pay more attention to the ophthalmologists who experience the aforementioned factors

Designing a screening program for prevention of avoidable blindness in Iran through a participatory action approach

Purpose: To design a screening program for prevention of blindness at the community level in Iran. Methods: In this qualitative study, the components and properties of the screening program were identified using a participatory action research method with focus group meetings (FGMs) with relevant health care providers and authorities. A content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: In total, 18 stakeholders including six ophthalmologists with different sub-specialties participated in the five FGMs. The screening program aims to discover vision-threatening eye conditions in people aged 50 years and over. Primary health care workers deliver the program including vision tests and fundus imaging with the support of an ophthalmic technician. Retina specialists perform decision-making. Referral plans are interacted through an automated digital program. The screening environment, feedback, ethics and medical legal issues are other main components of the program. Conclusion: This study presents the initial concepts and components of a screening program for prevention of blindness in the adult population in Iran. The program has the potential to improve eye health at the community level and may potentially be replicated as a model for similar settings elsewhere

Psychological Impact of COVID- 19 on the Ophthalmologists in Iran

Purpose: To identify the psychological impact of coronavirus disease on ophthalmologists practicing in Iran between August and December 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional online survey, a standard Patient Health Questionnaire- 9 (PHQ- 9) was completed by 228 ophthalmologists who were practicing in Iran. The PHQ- 9 questionnaire was revised by adding two additional questions specifically applicable for the assessment of the psychological impact of coronavirus disease on the Iranian ophthalmologists. An organized classification regarding the assessment of different depression severities identified as no (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), or severe (15–21) was then considered for data analysis. Results: The mean age of our participants was 49.0 ± 15.61 years and the majority of them (67.1%) were male. Depression was discovered in 73.68% (n = 168) with different severities ranging from mild (n = 61, 26.75%), moderate (n = 63, 27.63%), and severe (n = 44, 19.3%). It was found that participants with depression were older as compared to those without depression (P = 0.038). Higher percentages of severe depression were noticed in the high-risk regions contaminated with coronavirus as compared to the other low-risk regions (P = 0.003). Based on multivariable models, we determined that ophthalmologists who were somewhat concerned about their training/ profession (OR: 0.240; 95% CI: 0.086–0.672; P = 0.007) and those with no concerns about their income had lower association with depression (OR: 0.065; 95% CI: 0.005–0.91; P = 0.042). Conclusion: High prevalence of depression was observed among older-aged Iranian ophthalmologists living in high-risk contaminated regions who possessed serious concerns with respect to their training/profession and income. It is recommended that the health policymakers of Iran pay more attention to the ophthalmologists who experience the aforementioned factors