An interventional study of Visual Simulator in Visual Disturbance, sponsored by University of British Columbia. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-04.
Sponsored by University of British Columbia · Not applicable, Interventional, and Health services research
Some patients presenting with visual symptoms may have difficulty accurately describing their visual experiences. Symptoms such as blurred vision, diplopia, visual field deficits, and transient visual disturbances are subjective and can be challenging to communicate using words alone. This can create communication barriers and contribute to variability in symptom interpretation, with potential implications for reduced patient satisfaction and uncertainty in clinical evaluation, especially among medical trainees.
This prospective, survey-based feasibility and usability study will have the primary objective of evaluating whether a visual symptom simulator (VSS) improves communication of visual symptoms during neuro-ophthalmology assessment compared with standard history-taking alone, and whether it can be feasibly integrated into routine clinical practice as an adjunct to standard history-taking.
Secondary objectives include: 1) assessing whether the use of a visual simulator improves the clarity of patient-reported visual symptoms and reduces ambiguity during clinical assessment; and 2) exploring its potential role in improving trainees' (medical students, residents, fellows) understanding and interpretation of subjective visual symptoms in neuro-ophthalmology.
Research design and methods In collaboration with BCIT, a web-based VSS platform will be developed, with the goal of presenting interactive visual symptom scenarios designed to simulate patient-reported visual experiences.
Participants will include patients 18 years or older who are referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic at St Paul's Hospital (SPH) and Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Eye Care Center for assessment of one of the following visual complaints: transient visual loss, diplopia, or blurry vision. We will also recruit medical trainees rotating through neuro-ophthalmology services. A control group (standard of care) will be recruited first and will undergo standard clinical interview and neuro-ophthalmological assessment without the VSS. Following finalization of the VSS, patients will be recruited into the VSS intervention group.
Methods of analysis, instruments, and tools The VSS will be the primary intervention tool in the intervention group and will be delivered via a web-based platform. The control group will undergo the standard neuro-ophthalmological examination alone.
Data will be collected using post-clinical and post-intervention surveys completed by both patients and trainees. Surveys primarily consist of Likert-scale items assessing patient satisfaction, as well as trainees' perceived understanding of patient symptoms and confidence in clinical reasoning. A short section at the end of the questionnaires will be available to patients and trainees for qualitative feedback.
Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to compare outcomes between control and intervention groups. Where applicable, subgroup analyses may be performed based on level of training (trainees).
Qualitative data from open-ended survey responses will be reviewed and analyzed for recurring themes.
University of British Columbia is the lead sponsor of 1,339 studies on the registry; 259 are open to participants now.
Of its 6 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 1 (17%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
- Younger than 18 years
Standard of care
Use of simulator
Device: Visual Simulator
Development of an online visual simulator, to allow accurate representation of visual symptoms
Patient survey scores
Outcome survey will include rating scales of: Overall participant experience, Participant perception of physician understanding, Participant ability to communicate symptoms, Perceived influence on treatment/follow-up/care
Time frame: Immediately, at the completion of the patient first clinical assessment
Trainee survey
Outcomes include survey ranking of: Overall Educational Value and Trainee rating of VSS educational usefulness
Time frame: Immediately, at the completion of the patient consultation
No study locations are listed for this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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