News From Biomedical Science Educators Special Interest Group

News From Biomedical Science Educators Special Interest Group

Date: December 6, 2021 via Zoom

Chair: Dr. Steve Pittler (UAB)

Chair Elect: Dr. Lisa Ostrin (UHCO)

Actions and Discussions:

• Elect a new BSE SIG leadership
  • 2022-2024 Chair is Lisa Ostrin, Lostrin@central.uh.edu
  • 2022-2024 Chair Elect is Tom Landgraf (UMSL)
• Discuss BSE SIG Mission, Goals and Objectives
• Update on basic science course syllabi collection
• Discuss diversity in basic science education
• Proposed date for next meeting – March 2022

We encourage all BSE SIG members to read the mission, goals and objectives of the BSE SIG, and to contact the current chair, Lisa Ostrin (Lostrin@central.uh.edu), with any suggestions of how to move the mission forward and future programming session ideas.

Mission of the BSE SIG

To advance the teaching of basic biomedical science courses (including gross & ocular anatomy, neuroanatomy, histology, basic, systemic & ocular physiology, basic & ocular biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, genetics) in optometric education by encouraging & supporting the sharing and development of improved teaching and assessment strategies.

Goals and Objectives

Foster collaboration among the optometry schools to

• Share ideas regarding the application of basic science principles in clinical courses and conversely, the integration of clinical cases/correlates in basic science courses.
• Discuss how to best stimulate student interest in integrating knowledge of the basic sciences with patient care.
• Strive for greater uniformity regarding the scope of teaching gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, ocular anatomy and histology
  • Identify which basic science concepts should be emphasized to best prepare students for clinical encounters and clinical classes
  • Discuss the qualifications of the faculty teaching the anatomy & histology courses at the different schools (PhD vs. OD vs. PhD, OD – pros and cons)

Develop a resource for anatomy educators in optometry to exchange information on teaching strategies, innovations and assessment.

• Share teaching techniques successfully used during lecture and/or lab to maximize student interest and engage the students.
• Share methodologies used to teach the lab portions of the anatomy & histology courses
  • Discuss the pros and cons of using cadavers vs. websites and models in teaching gross anatomy.
  • Discuss types of skulls (real or plastic) used to teach orbit and skull bones in human and ocular anatomy.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of using fixed brain tissue and dissection vs. use of brain models and photographs of brain sections in teaching neuroanatomy.
  • Discuss use of slit lamps in ocular anatomy labs to enhance the application of anatomy to clinical experience.
• Create a resource bank with examination questions/images/cases.
• Develop assessment tools to determine effectiveness of these methods

Promote excellence in the teaching of anatomy through dissemination of educational resources.

• Develop new forums for information exchange, available to all educators in optometry
• Discuss whether there is a decline in the number of PhDs graduating from Anatomy programs and/or applying for jobs at optometry schools and the effect on optometric education
• Better prepare students for the NBEO Part 1 Applied Basic Science exam

Contact LaShawn Sidbury Duckett, Director of Meetings and SIGs, for additional questions – lsidbury@opted.org