Title : What changes can be made to a medical student ophthalmology conference to enhance engagement and career interest
Abstract:
This poster presents an evaluation of a student-led ophthalmology conference, exploring its educational impact, accessibility, and influence on medical students’ career considerations. The study examined the SCRUBS National and Regional Ophthalmology Conference held in March 2024, aiming to identify which groups of medical students are most likely to attend, how effectively the event delivers ophthalmic teaching, and what improvements could enhance student engagement and widen participation. An online questionnaire was distributed following the conference, incorporating Likert-scale ratings and free-text qualitative feedback to assess both the structure of the programme and students’ experiences.
The findings demonstrated that the majority of attendees were from the University of Leicester, with more than 80% of participants affiliated with the host institution. This highlighted a key limitation: the conference’s reach remained largely regional rather than national, likely influenced by barriers such as travel costs, distance, and scheduling constraints. Students from all stages of medical training attended, though the largest proportion were clinical-year students, reflecting increased speciality exploration during later years as well as a perceived relevance to upcoming career decisions.
Overall, the event was highly rated. Talks consistently scored above four out of five, and students described the sessions as clear, well-structured, and informative. Workshops—particularly the hands-on practical stations—were identified as one of the most valuable components, helping students develop early technical skills and increasing their confidence in approaching ophthalmology. The conference also positively shaped perceptions of the specialty: many students reported that the combination of clinical content, surgical demonstrations, and interactive teaching increased their interest in pursuing ophthalmology as a potential career pathway.
Free-text feedback suggested several avenues for improvement. Students recommended broader publicity to enhance national attendance, including stronger collaboration with surgical societies across the UK. A hybrid or partially online format was suggested to reduce geographical barriers and increase accessibility for students from more distant medical schools. Tailored content for different training stages—introductory lectures for pre-clinical students and more skills-focused sessions for clinical students—was also identified as a way to maximise educational value. The poster concludes that well-designed, student-led ophthalmology conferences can significantly enhance learning, inspire career interest, and support early exposure. By expanding accessibility and refining the programme structure, future events may further strengthen national engagement and educational impact.
