ABO Announces First Student Case Challenge – Learning Through Clinical Care

Encouraging lifelong learning starts early. As students near the end of their optometry school years and prepare to enter practice, it is essential to provide opportunities that allow them to bridge theoretical knowledge with everyday clinical application. Engaging future optometrists in educational activities that encourage continued learning, clinical application of knowledge and assessment of competency, leads to doctors who are better prepared to provide excellent eye care to their patients.

As part of the American Board of Optometry’s (ABO) student-focused outreach, the first annual student case challenge, Learning Through Clinical Care, was announced in April, with submissions accepted May 1 – May 31, 2024.

Third- and fourth-year students who are involved in patient care are invited to submit a written patient case study. The case study should be based on a clinical case where the student has been involved in the diagnosis and/or management of the patient and provide either new information about a treatment modality or management approach, or provide a good review of current practice guidelines.

A winner and runner up will be chosen and announced at Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee in June. The first-place winner will receive $750 and a chance to publish their case as a learning module for ABO Diplomates and candidates. The runner up will receive $300 and a chance to publish their case as a learning module for ABO Diplomates and candidates.

An overview of the Learning Through Clinical Care case challenge can be viewed on our website, with complete rules, guidelines for creating a case study, submission dates and award information.