Evaluating the long-term impact of faculty development programs on MCQ item analysis

Evaluating the long-term impact of faculty development programs (FDPs) can help monitor the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for development. This study examined long-term differences in confidence, knowledge, behaviors, and policies of faculty members who attended FDPs on multiple choice question (MCQ) item analysis and faculty members who did not attend the FDPs.

A cross-sectional study design was used, by administering a 24-item survey to a representative sample (simple random selection) of 61 faculty members at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine.

Among respondents, 34% did not attend FDPs; 53% attended 1-3 FDPs; and 13% attended more than 3 FDPs on MCQ item analysis. Results showed that faculty knowledge on elements of MCQ item analysis was significantly greater (p = .01) for members who attended the FDPs. Faculty who attended FDPs on MCQ item analysis were twice more likely to conduct item analysis in general (p = .020) and four times more likely to conduct item analysis for more than 70% of module examinations (p = .005).

FDPs focused on MCQ item analysis can yield systematic changes on faculty confidence, knowledge, and behaviors. Moreover, FDPs also need support from the department and need sustained strategic support to ensure continued effectiveness.