Impact of free eye clinic participation on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology, and perceptions of underrepresented patient populations

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of volunteering at a free eye clinic on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions of ophthalmology and of underrepresented patient populations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed by email to both volunteers and non-volunteers at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic’s Free Eye Clinic (FEC) between July and August 2023. Study participants were medical students both enrolled at the Carver College of Medicine and former students who had recently graduated. Survey questions included an assessment of ophthalmic knowledge, respondent perceptions of the field of ophthalmology, and respondent perceptions of underserved populations and barriers to care. Results: 54 participants completed the survey. 20 survey respondents reported volunteering at the free eye clinic (FEC volunteers), whereas 34 did not (non-volunteers). FEC volunteers performed better on ophthalmic knowledge questions (p Conclusions: Volunteering at the FEC had a positive impact on medical students’ ophthalmic knowledge, perceptions about ophthalmology and understanding of underserved populations. This suggests that volunteer experience in a free clinic setting contributes positively to student perceptions and understanding of patient populations that face unique challenges and barriers to care.