The journey through optometry school is filled with learning curves and pivotal moments. The most transformative of these is undoubtedly your first interaction with a real patient. This encounter is a rite of passage for optometry students, marking the transition from theoretical learning to practical application.
As an optometry student, you’re well aware that the initial patient exams can be nerve-wracking. The moment you step into the exam room and meet your patient, the reality sets in. It’s no longer a simulation or practice with peers; these are genuine clinical encounters that optometry students must navigate.
The pressure can be intense at first – you might find yourself grappling with the basics, like adjusting the slit lamp or recalling the right questions to ask. It’s a common experience among optometry students to feel overwhelmed at this stage. However, it’s essential for you to remember that this is a natural part of the learning process. The feedback from supervisors and assessors, though it may seem harsh, is invaluable. It’s there to shape optometry students into competent clinicians.
After the exam, as you walk your patient out, you’ll likely reflect on the experience. It’s a defining moment for you to choose between succumbing to self-doubt or embracing the opportunity to learn and grow. No doubt, there will be elements of relief where you think “Thank goodness that’s over!”, but again, this is perfectly normal after an monumental moment in your career.
Practical Tips for Optometry Students Seeing Patients for the First Time
To help optometry students prepare for these crucial encounters, here are some strategies to build confidence and ensure a smooth experience:
1) Self-Care Helps to Prepare
Your first encounter is going to play on your mind as you will want to make sure you look and feel competent to do what you need to do. Whilst it is important to focus on your routine and clinical skills, it is also vital that you look after yourself prior to the clinic.
Aim for an early night – or at least make sure you allow yourself enough time to sleep properly. A tired mind will make the process much more difficult – and if you look tired, it won’t fill your patient with confidence!
Hygiene is also important. Shower or bathe before your clinic. Not only will you feel fresh and ready to tackle the day, it also helps with your presentation – as you will not appear unkempt or smell! Just avoid any heavily fragranced perfumes or products too – as this can sometimes overwhelm patients!
Dress professionally – remember, you are representing both your university clinic and your profession. Whilst every eye care professional has their own style, it is important to adhere to your university’s clinical dress code and dress appropriately.
Other ways that optometry students can look after themselves can be found in more detail on our blog post Mindfulness Matters.
2) Prepare the Exam Room
The best optometry students take the time to set up their exam room efficiently. A well-organised space allows optometry students to conduct exams more effectively and reduces anxiety.
You may be unfamiliar with the room – my experience within university optometry departments is that real patients are seen in different areas to training areas. Therefore, make sure you take the time to know where everything is located. Knowing where things are will save you significant time and will help make you appear confident. The biggest tip is to locate where the light switches are – you will be needing this switch regularly so know where to find it!
Set up your slit lamp so that it is the right height for you. Get the focusing rod in and focus those oculars. Give the trial lenses a clean with the lens cloth. Anything you can do to make the experience run smoothly will greatly benefit both yours and your patient’s experience!
3) Review Your Patient’s Records
Optometry students should familiarise themselves with their patients’ histories. Whether they are new or returning, understanding their background helps optometry students anticipate their needs.
You may have a new patient, or be instructed that you cannot see the patient’s previous history prior to the appointment. That may feel like you can’t prepare with their record. In reality – knowing a patient’s name and their age can already give you a head start on the appointment. Many optometry students tend to focus on what they don’t have available to them – but remember to pay attention to what you do have and work with it!
4) Record Keeping
One of the most important skills optometry students need to develop is that of record keeping. Your first “real patient” is one that will require you to be completely on the ball with your records as what you write will now be part of their medical record.
Take the time to review what the record card (be it paper or electronic) that you’ll be using looks like. Where do you record their history and symptoms? Where do you record their VAs or their prescription? Knowing this will help you find it on the day and provide additional efficiency to the test.
Some electronic medical records have little nuances that can make operating them difficult. You may be forced to select who examined the patient, put a working distance in, confirm the date you are seeing them etc. before it will let you proceed. Whilst these components are important to record, some won’t let you proceed or record anything else until the record is satisfied that you have recorded it. Knowing these foibles exist and what you need to do to work with them will aid your record keeping routine and prevent frustrations, confusion and things not being saved.
5) Practice Communication Skills with Other Optometry Students
Other optometry students on your course are also going through these same pivotal moments with you. Utilise each other to practice communication skills and elevate each other to give yourselves the best start for seeing your first real patients.
Practice explaining conditions and procedures in layman’s terms. Role-playing with classmates can help you prepare for real-life scenarios.
The Eye Care Advocate has spent time creating this eStudy Guide on taking a case history, that will also include tips on interacting with patients. You should check it out, especially if the communication aspect of dealing with real patients is the cause of your anxiety!
Conclusion
By incorporating these tips, optometry students can further enhance their readiness for clinical practice, leading to more successful and rewarding patient interactions. Keep striving for excellence, and remember, every optometrist started as a student just like you!
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Here at The Eye Care Advocate, it has been my mission to ensure patients, practitioners and optometry students feel heard, respected and valued. If you would like to know more, please comment below or make contact with me through the contact page. I value the feedback left by all that read and engage with these articles.
Have you any tips on how you prepared to see your first patient (or tips on how you prepare for your clinic in general?) Feel free to share them in the comments below! Enjoy these posts? Please consider networking with me on LinkedIn, subscribing below or Buying Me a Coffee – all support benefits the ongoing work happening at The Eye Care Advocate.
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