Publications by authors named "Amanda Edgar"
The evolution of digitally based pedagogies, such as extended reality (XR) - a group of simulated learning environments that include virtual simulation, virtual reality, and augmented reality - has prompted optometry educators to seek evidence to guide the implementation of these teaching and learning activities within their curricula. Looking more broadly across the medical and allied health fields, there is a wealth of evidence to guide the incorporation of XR, as it is increasingly being integrated into the curricula of other select health professions disciplines. Educators from these disciplines continue to explore and embed XR in practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDisparities in accessing quality healthcare persist among diverse populations. Health professional education should therefore promote more diversity in the health workforce, by fostering attitudes of inclusion. This paper outlines the potential of virtual simulation (VS), as one method in a system of health professional education, to promote inclusion and diversity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A mixed-methods study explored sleep challenges in children aged 2-4 years, comparing perceptions between lower-income (avg. $30,000) and higher-income (avg. $142,400) families.
- Parents reported similar bedtime routines and nighttime struggles, but differences emerged in how each income group perceived and managed these challenges.
- The findings highlight the need for tailored sleep interventions for families, acknowledging both common barriers and specific income-related differences in sleep dynamics.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using readily accessible technology, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), to detect and grade meibomian gland dropout and examine its interchangeability with the Oculus Keratograph 5M (K5M).
Methods: A total of 30 participants (30 eyes) with a median age of 21 (range = 19-28 years) were recruited. Meibography was performed using two commercially available imaging devices to look at the structure of the meibomian glands and grade them subjectively in real time, and image analysis was used to quantify meibomian gland loss objectively.
Background: Inherent features in virtual simulation could be utilised to deliver collaborative global education that is inclusive, accessible, and valued by students and facilitators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the International Eyecare Community (IEC) platform's virtual simulated international placements (VSIP) in optometric education.
Methods: An international, multi-center, cross-sectional mixed methods study with Deakin University, Australia, and the Elite School of Optometry, India, was used to evaluate the impact of VSIP in the IEC using pre-existing deidentified data collected from teaching and learning activities within the optometry course curriculum.
Barriers to Optimal Child Sleep among Families with Low Income: A Mixed-Methods Study to Inform Intervention Development.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
January 2023
This study gathered formative data on barriers to optimal child sleep to inform the development of a sleep intervention for parents of preschool-aged children in low-income households. Parents ( = 15, age: 34 ± 8 years, household income: $30,000 ± 17,845/year) reporting difficulties with their child's sleep participated in this study. Mixed methods included an online survey and semi-structured phone interview.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Virtual simulations are used throughout healthcare training programs to enable development of clinical skills, however the potential for virtual simulation to enhance cognitive and affective skills is less well understood. This study explored pre-clinical optometry students' perceptions of the impact of virtual simulation on the development of core competency skills including patient-centred care, communication, scientific literacy, and evidence-based practice.
Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted using pre-existing anonymized data from an electronic survey distributed to pre-clinical optometry students enrolled in the double degree Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University, Australia.
Background: Diagnostic reasoning is an essential skill for optometry practice and a vital part of the curriculum for optometry trainees but there is limited understanding of how diagnostic reasoning is performed in optometry or how this skill is best developed. A validated and reliable self-reflective inventory for diagnostic reasoning in optometry, would enable trainees and registered practitioners to benchmark their diagnostic reasoning skills, identify areas of strength and areas for improvement.
Methods: A 41 item self-reflective inventory, the Diagnostic Thinking Inventory, used extensively in the medical field was adapted for use in optometry and called the Diagnostic Thinking Inventory for Optometry (DTI-O).
This case study discusses the use of superficial radiotherapy (SXRT) in the treatment of recurrent conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Conjunctival SCC is often an aggressive cancer, with surgery the current standard of care. There is currently limited literature on alternative treatment options to treat conjunctival SCC recurrences that enable ocular function preservation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: PET/CT scans acquired in the radiotherapy treatment position are typically performed without compensating for respiratory motion. The purpose of this study was to investigate geographic miss of lung tumours due to respiratory motion for target volumes defined on a standard 3D-PET/CT.
Methods: 29 patients staged for pulmonary malignancy who completed both a 3D-PET/CT and 4D-PET/CT were included.