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Objective structured clinical examination compared with other forms of student assessment.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|December 1, 1984
Summary
The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in paediatrics shows stronger correlation with overall medical student performance than traditional viva voce exams. Students and examiners found the OSCE to be a fairer and superior assessment method.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Paediatric Assessment
Background:
- Traditional medical education assessments like viva voce examinations have limitations.
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) offer a structured approach to clinical skills evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of OSCEs versus traditional viva voce examinations in paediatric medical student assessment.
- To evaluate the correlation of OSCE and viva voce results with other student assessments.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 230 final-year medical students underwent assessment using both OSCE and viva voce in paediatrics.
- Results were compared against ongoing and end-of-course evaluations.
Main Results:
- OSCE results demonstrated a stronger positive correlation with overall student assessments compared to viva voce.
- Minimal correlation was observed between OSCE and viva voce examination outcomes.
- 80% of students perceived OSCE as a fairer assessment system.
Conclusions:
- OSCE is a valid and potentially superior alternative to traditional viva voce examinations for assessing paediatric medical knowledge and skills.
- The OSCE system received positive feedback from students and external examiners, indicating its acceptability and effectiveness.