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Tablet computers in assessing performance in a high stakes exam: opinion matters
G P Currie1, S Sinha, F Thomson
1GP Currie, Chest Clinic C, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK.
Summary
Examiners found tablet computers acceptable for objective structured clinical examinations, preferring them over paper. While efficient, concerns about technological failure and free-type comments remain.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Professions Education
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Tablet computers are increasingly used for data capture in examinations.
- Limited evidence exists on their acceptability and usefulness in assessment.
- Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are a key assessment tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore examiner opinions on tablet computer use in OSCEs.
- To assess the acceptability and perceived usefulness of tablets for performance recording.
- To identify advantages and concerns associated with tablet-based OSCE assessment.
Main Methods:
- Observational study design.
- Questionnaire survey administered to examiners.
- Analysis of forced-choice and open-ended questions using descriptive and framework analysis.
Main Results:
- High examiner response rate (97%) with prior tablet experience (85%).
- 90% found checklist marking easy; 50% found free-type comments easy.
- Key advantages: marking efficiency and resource savings. Concerns: technological failure and free-type comment recording.
Conclusions:
- Familiar examiners prefer tablets over paper checklists in OSCEs.
- Tablets are perceived as acceptable tools for clinical examinations.
- Further research needed to address concerns regarding technological limitations.
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