Title of article :
Comparison of student performance by assessment through Objective Structured Practical Examination versus the Conventional Method for second year MBBS students in Microbiology
Author/Authors :
RAJANI, MONIKA Department of Microbiology - Career institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, IIM Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India , GHEWADE, BABAJI Department of Respiratory Medicine - J N Medical College - Wardha Sciences and Hospital, Wardha, Maharashtra, India
Abstract :
Introduction: Objective Structured Practical Examination
(OSPE) is a comprehensive tool for assessment. We wanted to
improve our assessment methods and make it a more competencebased
evaluation. Thus this study was designed to compare the
effectiveness of Objective Structured Practical Examination with
that of Conventional Practical Examination.
Methods: This interventional study was carried out in Department
of Microbiology at CIMSH, Lucknow over six months from
October 2019 till March 2020. One hundred second year MBBS
students were enrolled. The students were divided into two
groups of fifty for the conventional examination group (controls)
and the OSPE group. On the first day, the cases appeared for
OSPE while the controls for conventional examination. On the
second day, the groups were crossed over. The students appearing
for OSPE were assessed by their scores at different stations.
Feedback forms with a pre structured questionnaire were given to
the students and the examiners after OSPE on both days to record
their perceptions. Finally, the students’ scores were tabulated and
compared statistically. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were used for
data analysis. The data was presented as percentages, mean and
standard deviation. Student t test was used and the significance
was checked, using P value <0.05.
Results: Overall in OSPE, the students scored higher and the
result was statistically significant. The proportion of students
in higher marks range was more for OSPE than that for the
conventional method. The difference was statistically significant
(P<0.001). Feedback taken from examiners as well as from the
students in the form of a structured questionnaire to analyze their
perceptions was very encouraging.
Conclusions: OSPE is a comprehensive assessment modality for
practical evaluation of MBBS students. OSPE proved to be an
effective tool that improved the students’ scores in microbiology.
Keywords :
Microbiology , Assessment , Medical education , Teaching
Journal title :
Journal of Advances in Medical Education and Professionalism
