FP938 : Implications of color vision defect on cognitive skills of medical undergraduates.

Dr.Kirti Singh, K04958

Aim. To qualitatively analyse subjective difficulties faced by CVD medical undergraduates.

Methods. 31 volunteer medical students with CVD (Ishihara diagnosed) were asked to complete questionnaire detailing difficulties, adaptive strategies and perceptions on their CVD.

Results. Around 90% were unaware of CVD prior to entrance screening test. Deuteranamoly and deuteranopia were commonest CVD. Strategies adopted were use of illumination, comparison with familiar colours, contrast/ stereoscopic clues, experiential learning, logic or peer help. Almost half (48%) anticipated problems during medical career and 81%, sought some counselling. More than half (58%) reported that Ishihara did not reflect their daily problems.

Conclusions. Students admitted to medical course must be screened at admission; those diagnosed with CVD should undergo counselling for understanding limitations, adopt better help seeking behaviour, and use other adaptive strategies to ensure patient safety.