Purpose: To survey the current methods of ophthalmology teaching and educational trends in Australian undergraduate and postgraduate medical schools. Methods: Cross-sectional survey distributed nationwide to the 21 accredited Australian Medical Council university undergraduate and post-graduate medical schools from November 2020 to March 2021. The survey encompassed 35 questions on student demographics, teaching methods, core theoretical topics, clinical skills, and assessment methods in ophthalmology. Main outcome measures included the time allocated for and methods of teaching, ophthalmology staff and clinic space available, and challenges faced. Results: Total response rate of 90.48 (19 of 21 medical schools) was received, with 73.7 of respondents based in metropolitan suburbs. Ophthalmology rotations were a requirement in 63.3 of medical schools only. Only 31.6 reported utilising the International Council of Ophthalmology curriculum. The number of ophthalmologists on staff varied from one to three (42.1), four to six (15.8), and ten or greater (15.8). Total teaching time ranged from one to six hours (36.9), and up to greater than two weeks (10.5). All respondents reported at least one clinical day in ophthalmology, even if there was no mandatory formal rotation, with the majority of students spending three to six hours in clinic per day (57.9). Conclusion: Ophthalmology medical school teaching in Australia shows significant variation amongst universities. With the assistance and support of ophthalmologists, Colleges and medical educators, improvements can be achieved and teaching standardised.
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