Examining at the University

Last week, I spent four days on the panel of external examiners of the final-year optometry students at the Department of Optometry and Visual Science at the Grafton campus of the Univesity of Auckland. I've done it several times before, and, each year, it never ceases to amaze me at the quality of the new entrants to our profession.

By the time that we see them - we being several internal examiners and about 7-9 external examiners (all clinicans, optometrists working as optometrists in various communities all around the country) - the students have completed their final written exams, presented their research results and have seen several hundred patients throughout the year. These patient exams are possibly more detailed than they would be in paid practice, as the students have to "pretend" that the patient has no history when he/she presents for an exam, as the clinical notes go to the supervisor only.

So, we watch 9 or 10 candidates over the four days, each seeing (hopefully) their last three patients as a student. They all see random people who have booked exams (as you would in practice) and there are young, old, and "in the middle". The idea is that we can see how the students can relate to patients of different ages and differing needs.

The students are all bright, friendly and approachable - all needed to put patients at their ease. And they are all clever enough to pass a very intense university programme, as well as being clinically adept at understanding each patient's individual needs and providing appropriate care for each one.

Very humbling, and each time I have returned from Auckland delighted with the opportunity to meet a great group of people, as well as have some of my clinical skills shown up. I learn new techniques from the students, and realise that this benefits both my patients and myself in my daily practice.