Since 2017, the clerkship (formally externship) program at the School of Optometry & Vision Science has undergone a complete overhaul focused on increasing the quality, quantity and breadth of experience in domestic sites.
Over the past two years, thanks to an enthusiastic response from practitioners across the country, the number of Canadian clerkship sites has nearly doubled. In particular, provinces such as Alberta have welcomed the clerkship program, thanks to the support of their provincial college .
“As the scope of practice for Optometry continues to grow, the increase in clerkship opportunities allows the School to focus on providing a Canadian experience for our students,” says Dr. Lisa Christian, Associate Director of Clinical Education at the School.
Consistency and support
The new program emphasizes consistency in terms of student experience and support for preceptors.
Each clerkship site has made a three-year commitment to the program and each site receives a manual, which outlines the program’s education objectives, course competencies and preceptor responsibilities. A new e-newsletter provides preceptors with program information and updates, as well as important dates.
“In the future, we hope to create a dialogue with preceptors, perhaps through a forum where they can talk to each other and to us, especially since their experiences on site might be different from what we experience here at the School,” Dr. Christian says.
The committee is also making efforts to help preceptors feel connected to the School on a personal level.
“Preceptors spend a lot of time with our students – we want them to feel engaged with the clerkship program and the University of Waterloo,” Dr. Christian says.
“One of the ways that we’re recognizing our preceptors is to provide them with a teaching site plaque that we encourage them to display in their practice to show their affiliation with the University. Our sites have reacted very positively to the plaques; many of them have requested extra plaques if they have multiple sites.”
Another way the committee hopes to build relationships with clerkship preceptors is through an annual preceptor dinner. The first event took place this June during the School’s CE Weekend.
“This was a great opportunity for us all to socialize and again, reiterate our clinical objectives,” Dr. Christian says.
On behalf of the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our clerkship sites for participating in the clinical education of our students. For those wishing to participate in our program, please contact clerkship@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
