(Student Feedback on OSPE: An Experience of a New Medical School in Saudi Arabia)
AbstractObjective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is widely used in the assessment for medical students' practical skills. OSPE was introduced to the Faculty of Medicine of King Fahad Medical City in September 2008. The aim of this study is to investigate the medical students' feedback on OSPE. Third year female medical students (n=38) enrolled in Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Urogenital systems blocks were included. A questionnaire was distributed to assess students' evaluation of the OSPE. Grades of the students in these exams were also evaluated. The results of this study showed that, OSPE has been accepted by most of the students as a fair, reliable, effective and useful assessment tool. 63.2% of the students felt stressed during OSPE of Respiratory block and 57.9% reported the need of more time at the stations of this block. There was statistical difference between the grades of each of the Respiratory and Urogenital systems versus the Gastrointestinal system blocks (p=.001). However, the statistical difference between the grades of the Respiratory and Urogenital system blocks was with p value =0.01. In conclusion: students viewed OSPE as a useful assessment tool and they offered a constructive feedback which will be used for further development, improvement and standardization of OSPE.
Medical Science Educator. – 2012. – Vol. 22 (1). – P. 10–16.