Experience and training as determinants of grading reliability when assessing the severity of contact lens complications.
OBJECTIVE
A study was conducted to investigate the influence of experience and training on grading reliability when assessing the severity of contact lens complications.


METHODS
Twenty-three optometry students who were unfamiliar with the use of grading scales each used the Efron Grading Tutor computer program to ascertain grading reliability at an 'initial' experimental session and a 'final' session 3 weeks later. Twelve subjects (the 'trained' group) were given a tutorial on grading techniques and were asked to complete two grading exercises between the initial and final sessions. The other 11 subjects (the 'untrained' group) received no such training between the two sessions. Differences in grading reliability between the initial and final grading sessions were evaluated.


RESULTS
Grading reliability was superior (lower) for the combined subject cohort at the final session (mean +/- standard deviation 0.33 +/- 0.12) compared with the initial session (0.46 +/- 0.25) (p = 0.004). However, there was no difference in the improvement in grading reliability between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Grading reliability improves statistically with some experience, although perhaps not to a clinically meaningful extent. No added benefit can be derived from supplemental training.
Efron
Nathan
N
Eurolens Research, Department of Optometry and Neuroscience, UMIST, P.O. Box 88, Manchester M60 1QD, UK. n.efron@umist.ac.uk
Morgan
Philip B
PB
Farmer
Craig
C
Furuborg
Jan
J
Struk
Robert
R
Carney
Leo G
LG
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004517:Education, Professional; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011897:Random Allocation; D013336:Students, Health Occupations