Skip to main content

Table 1 Description of how the LOOKSHARP intervention and learning objectives were scaffolded based on the three-level method [16] and SOLO taxonomy [17]

From: Evaluation of educational interventions on eye health for dietetic and pharmacy professions: a pre-post study

Description of Wilson and Lieberman – three-level method [16]

Application of the three-level method to the LOOKSHARP intervention

SOLO Taxonomy [17]

Learning Objectives of the LOOKSHARP intervention

Level I (Exposure):

introduce pharmacy students to eye conditions such as AMD to allow students to achieve greater understanding and acceptance of people living with vision loss [16]

A two-hour lecture (scheduled in Week 6, Semester 2, 2019) on general eye health and AMD was delivered one week prior to the educational workshop by experts (dietitian and optometrist) and research team members. This allowed pharmacy students to have greater knowledge and formulate questions prior to the workshop.

Unistructural: students need to first grasp individual knowledge bits [17]

Multi-structural:

be able to tie and file these individual bits into meaningful concepts [17]

Increase awareness about the disability and functional limitations experienced by individuals with vision loss/vision impairment.

Level II (Experience): allows opportunities for pharmacy students to actually experience daily obstacles experienced by people with vision loss [16]

A two-hour workshop (scheduled in Week 7, Semester 2, 2019) was facilitated by a registered pharmacist from the University of Sydney. The workshop included two activities that provided hands-on experience of a person with an eye condition. This included use of AMD simulation glasses, identifying foods that are key sources of important macular carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) and eye drop demonstration role-plays to enhance the understanding of living with vision loss/ an eye condition. Details of these activities are covered in Additional File 2.

Relational:

learn to relate concepts together [17].

Develop empathetic and appropriate communication skills to counsel patients about and supply (if relevant) key evidence-based products for AMD.

Develop and apply a range of practical strategies to assist people with vision loss.

Level III (Ownership): encourages pharmacy students to take responsibility to ensure that people with vision loss are treated equitably [16]

Case-study activities on eye conditions including AMD were included in the workshop to encourage students to reflect upon individual circumstances and professional roles to provide tailored advice and counselling (e.g. about nutritional supplements). A reflection activity was also included at the conclusion of the workshop. These activities encouraged students to reflect upon their roles in ensuring equitable health care for those with vision loss or other eye conditions. The UoS Coordinator also scheduled an assessment that required submission of a reflective essay on topics covered in workshops (including the LOOKSHARP workshop) in Week 13 (final semester week).

Extended abstract:

apply learning to create new knowledge or reflect upon how the knowledge relates to reality [17]

Reflect upon pharmacist roles in extending care to people living with vision loss.