by Satina Richardson
The education students receive at the UAB School of Optometry extends beyond subjects related to optometry and vision science. It includes educational opportunities that will produce graduates who are prepared to build doctor-patient relationships that can yield better outcomes and decrease healthcare disparities.
During March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, didactic classes became virtual and new ways to learn clinical skills were introduced due to social distancing requirements. Technology introduced at that time, such as telehealth and TelScreens, HIPAA-compliant digital projection systems connected to cameras showing the patient and slit lamp images, remains in use.
The cry for social justice that occurred in 2020 following the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery resulted in the introduction of diversity education to the curriculum. Such opportunities had previously only been available to faculty and staff.
First year students completed a course called Cultural Awareness Building Blocks during orientation.
“This course is an essential part of our orientation experience,” said Gerald Simon, OD, associate dean of student affairs. “Altering the week-long agenda was a timely and appropriate change.”
Led by UAB’s Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion, the session provided the framework for gaining a nuanced understanding of the various meanings and the potential impact of diversity in higher education. The impact of identities, interactions and relationships is explored, and the session presents strategies and resources to better navigate and embrace cultural differences.
“Offering this opportunity to first year students lays a rich foundation for seeds of cultural humility in their future practice and hopefully a perspective shift that will lead to more equitable and inclusive patient care experiences,” said Michelle Allen, EdD, diversity education director in UAB’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Keisha Elder, OD, MS, FAAO, the School’s first director of diversity, equity and inclusion, is leading diversity education efforts at the UAB School of Optometry. She added that having a diversity exercise during orientation also sets the tone for how students should conduct themselves as UAB optometry students.
“Diversity is one of our core values, so the session also helps students get a better idea of what this, and other core values mean to the School,” she said.
All students will also receive training annually as part of the optometry curriculum.
According to Allen, “It is important that students are offered opportunities like this throughout their matriculation and career to ensure that they are perpetually assessing and implementing strategies that support the need for equity and inclusion related to their diverse identities and model this for individuals within their scope of care as well.”
Clinical management is one of the optometry courses that now includes diversity education. When Elder, also an associate professor, teaches during this course she communicates what cultural competency means and how providing culturally competent care yields a better quality of care, better outcomes and decreases health disparities.
“I want to make sure that our students interacting with patients see that we have similarities and differences,” she said. “They need to provide culturally sensitive care that can break down communication barriers between patients and doctors, make sure the patient is comfortable interacting with them and having them as a member of their healthcare team.”