Coordinating a Postgraduate Orthopaedic Exam During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread disruption of medical examinations globally.
• The Malaysian Orthopaedic Specialist Committee (OSC) Part I Examinations, crucial for orthopaedic training, were cancelled in April 2020 due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
• This cancellation impacted a significant number of candidates (up to 200) pursuing specialist orthopaedic qualifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the challenges and strategies involved in conducting a major national orthopaedic examination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To provide recommendations for organizing future high-stakes medical examinations under similar public health crises.
• To ensure the continuity of specialist medical training and certification despite unprecedented circumstances.

Main Methods:

• The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) successfully organized the OSC Part I Examinations from 5th-9th October 2020.
• Implementation of stringent new guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to comply with pandemic safety regulations.
• Coordination at a national level to manage logistics and candidate participation under evolving public health directives.

Main Results:

• The OSC Part I Examinations were successfully administered between October 5th-9th, 2020, adhering to safety protocols.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of conducting major medical specialist examinations during a pandemic.
• Identified key challenges in logistical planning, candidate management, and ensuring a secure examination environment.

Conclusions:

• Conducting national-level medical examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic is achievable with careful planning and adaptation.
• The experience provides valuable insights and recommendations for future resilience in medical education and assessment.
• Emphasizes the importance of robust SOPs and adaptive strategies to maintain training standards during health emergencies.