Thai Students Gain Valuable Experience During On-Campus Specialized Clinical Training Program

Nine optometric professionals affiliated with Rangsit University in Thailand gained diversified knowledge and skills to take home with them after a recent one-month program hosted by the Academic Affairs Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming (GISP) at Salus University.

This optometric program offered comprehensive clinical training that featured specialized lectures and workshops in addition to controlled patient-care sessions. Students participated in educational activities that included topics such as pharmacology, evidence-based practice, ophthalmic lasers, visual impairment and rehabilitation, myopia control, ocular urgencies and emergencies, sports vision, glaucoma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), ocular disease, pediatric vision, visual perception, electrophysiology, specialty contact lenses, neuro-ophthalmic disease, and advanced clinical skills.

“This is a good, short course to see how optometrists do things in the U.S.,” said Jeerarat “Fernie” Charungsinsap, an instructor at Rangsit University.

The group was also treated to a lecture - titled “Optometric Profession: Its Applications to Public Health” -  by Salus president Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE.

“Dr. Mittelman’s presentation was very good,” said Nataporn “Nat” Chaiprukmalakan, an optometrist who owns her own practice in Thailand. “He gave us tips and tricks and the history of optometry in the states and at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). He shared with us the journey optometrists had to face in order to get to where they are today. It was something we can use back home to try to go through a similar journey to get to do the things that optometrists do here.”

According to Melissa Vitek, OD ‘95, FAAO, GISP dean, several students from Rangsit University have completed the Salus Master of Science (MSc) program in Clinical Optometry with an Advanced Studies certificate degree program and all are now serving as faculty members at Rangsit. This was the first short-term clinical training program for which Salus and Rangsit have partnered.

“All the students were very enthusiastic and engaged,” said Dr. Vitek. “Each wanted to maximize their experience.”

As part of the program, Dr. Vitek designed and coordinated the Evidence Based Practice oral presentations in which each student presented a case in English for an audience that included Dr. Vitek and their peers. In addition to their academic experience, the Thai students had the opportunity to tour and visit Philadelphia landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, in addition to New York City, Washington, D.C. They also hiked in Wissahickon Valley Park. Margie Singer, academic coordinator for GISP, coordinated academic activities and housing at Manor College as well as informed cultural outings for the students for a more well-rounded experience.