Assessment Of Basic Practical Skills In An Undergraduate Medical Curriculum
- Author:
Sambandam Elango
;
Ramesh C Jutti
;
Palayan Kandasami
;
Cheong Lieng Teng
;
Li Cher Loh
;
Tirathram Motilal
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
clinical competence, practical skills, assessment
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2007;1(1):41-45
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Health educators and accrediting bodies
have defined objectives and competencies that medical
students need to acquire to become a safe doctor. There
is no report in Malaysia, about the ability of medical
students to perform some of the basic surgical skills
before entering the houseman ship. The aim of this
study is to determine whether the teaching/ learning
methods of practical skills in our undergraduate program
have been effective in imparting the desired level of
competencies in these skills.
Methods: A list of basic practical skills that students
should be competent has been identified. These skills
are taught in a structured way and assessed as part of the
composite end- of- semester examination. Practical
skills stations form part of an Objective structured
practical examination (OSPE).
Results: The results of 244 students who participated in
three ends of semester examinations were analyzed. The
mean score for the practical skills stations were higher
than the mean OSPE (of all 18 stations) and overall
score (of the written, practical and clinical
examination). However the failure rate in the practical
skills stations is higher in most of the stations (7 out of
8 stations) compared to overall failure rates.
Conclusions: In spite of the formal skills training many
students failed to demonstrate the desired level of
competencies in these stations. Assessment of practical
skills as part of overall composite examination may not
be effective in ensuring that all students have achieved
the required level of competency. Practical skills should
be assessed through dedicated formative assessments to
make sure that all the students acquire the required
competencies.
- Full text:W020150928351609512121.pdf
