A review of objective structured practical examination (OSPE) in pharmacology at a rural medical college
Keywords:
Evaluation, OSPE, Pharmacology, Practical, UndergraduatesAbstract
Background: 1. To evaluate the attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) component of Pharmacology practical examination. 2. To investigate any gender differences and any influence of medium of instruction in school on these attitudes.
Methods: The scores of 40 undergraduate medical students were analysed at S R T R Government Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra, India. A Likert scale containing 9 items was used to assess the attitudes of students towards OSPE in Pharmacology. Student perspectives regarding the OSPE were obtained by asking them to respond to a questionnaire.
Results: The study revealed that the OSPE was an acceptable tool in Pharmacology practical examination. The overall mean attitude score was 3.99. The response of male students towards OSPE (4.2) was more favourable as compared to that of female students (3.9) Students strongly agreed that OPSE covers wide range of skills and it is a good form of examination and learning experience. Majority of students were in favour of continuing OSPE as a method for examination in Pharmacology.
Conclusions: OSPE was found to be a valuable tool to check the depth of understanding of undergraduate students. OSPE can be used as an index of the learning attitude of students. The present study is a small step in a direction of changing the traditional patterns of practical examination to a more objective and reliable way of evaluation in Pharmacology. It will help in modifying teaching-learning strategies so that both, the teachers as well as the students can gain maximum advantage.
References
Latif SA, Hossain M. Objective structured practical examination (OSPE) - a scheduled task in curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Bangladesh-2002. Mymensingh Med J 2004 Jan;13(1):100-1.
Sandila MP, Ahad A, Khani ZK. An objective structured practical examination to test students in experimental physiology. J Pak Med Assoc 2001 June;51(6):207-10.
Pathiyil RS, Mishra P. Student feedback on the objective structured component of the practical examination in pharmacology. J Nepal Med Assoc 2002;41:368-74.
Cohen R, Reznick RK, Taylor BR, Provan J, Rothman A. Reliability and validity of the objective structured clinical examination in assessing surgical residents. Am J Surg 1990 Sep;160(3):302-5.
Roy V, Tekur U, Prabhu S. A comparative study of two evaluation techniques in pharmacology practicals: Conventional practical examination versus objective structured practical examination. Indian J Pharmacol 2004 Dec;36(6):385-9.
Guilbert JJ. Educational Handbook for Health Personal. 6th Ed. Geneva: World Health Organization;1987.
Batmanabane G, Raveendran R, Shashindran C. Objective structured practical examination in pharmacology for medical laboratory technicians. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1999 Apr;43(2):242-6.
Abraham RR, Raghvendra R, Surekha K, Asha K. A trial of objective structured practical examination in physiology at Maleka Manipal Medical College, India. Adv Physio Educ 2009 Mar;33(1):21-3.
Harden RM, Gleeson FA. Assessment of clinical competencies using an objectively structured clinical examination (OSCE) in: ASME Medical Education Booklet No.8 Dundee: ASME 1979;64:123-5.
Hart IR, Honden RM, Walton HJ. Newer developments in assessing clinical competence. International conference proceedings Ottawa: Congress centre, 1985.
Menezes RG, Nayak VC, Binu VS, Tanuj Kanchan, Rao PP, Baral P, Lobo SW. Objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) in Forensic Medicine: Students point of view. J Forensic Leg Med 2011 Nov;18(8):347-9.
Natu MV, Tejinder Singh. Objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) in pharmacology- Students point of view. Indian J Pharmacol 1994;26:188-9.
Brace I. Questionnaire Design: how to plan, structure and Write survey Material For Effective Market Research, London: Market Research in Practice Series;2004.
Kowlowitz ZV, Hoole AJ, Sloane PD. Implementing objective structured clinical examination in a traditional medical school. Acad Med 1991 June;66(6):345-7.
Gitanjali B. The other side of OSPE. Indian J Pharmacol 2004 Dec;36(6):388-9.
