Long Vac Diaries: From Lecture Halls to Hospital Wards — An Optometry Student’s Clinical Experience.
While many students spent the long vacation away from campus, Abigail Poku chose a different path one that led her into the heart of clinical practice at the KNUST Hospital.
A final-year Optometry student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Poku used the vacation period to deepen her professional training through a hospital internship. The experience marked a significant transition from theoretical learning to practical, patient-centred care.
Throughout the internship, she supported medical officers by conducting routine vital checks and documenting patients’ medical backgrounds. These responsibilities exposed her to the realities of hospital workflows and allowed her to engage directly with patients on a daily basis.
According to Poku, the placement provided invaluable insight into how knowledge acquired in the classroom is applied in real clinical settings. She explained that constant interaction with patients improved her confidence and enhanced her understanding of professional practice.
She also highlighted the benefit of working within a multidisciplinary health team, noting that collaboration with experienced practitioners strengthened her clinical skills and prepared her for the demands of her future career.
Sharing her reflections, Poku urged students to make productive use of long vacation periods by seeking practical training opportunities that complement their academic programmes.
By: Aboagye Yaw Ankomah