Introduction of OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) in department of Physiology, Govt. Medical College Srinagar

Suhail Ahmad Gilkar; Shabir Ud Din

Volume : V, Issue : V, May - 2016

Introduction of OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) in department of Physiology, Govt. Medical College Srinagar

Suhail Ahmad Gilkar, Shabir Ud Din

Abstract :

Background: Objective Structured Practical Examination mode of examination has been proved useful in assessing practical skills both at undergraduate as well as post graduate level of examination. It has been seen that OSPE is highly result oriented but most of people among faculty found it difficult to implement on a regular basis because of the time and space constraints. Objectives: To evaluate methodology, feasibility and acceptance of implementation of OSPE as examination tool in our college with recent enhancement of intake capacity from 100 to 150 students. Methods: Total duration of study was three months. Students and faculty were sensitized about this mode of examination through power point presentations. We divided 150 students into 5 batches and conducted examination over a period of 5 days. Each session had 8 questions with 2 observed and 6 unobserved stations. Feedback was taken from both the students and the entire faculty a day after examination. Results: Results were expressed as percentage of participants in the feedback. Out of 150 students, 111 participated in the feedback. 92.8% of students stated they were not aware of OSPE form of examination earlier.90.99% of students stated that OSPE can be helpful in improving their practical skills.89.18 % of students rated the organization of flow between stations as smooth. 79.27% students came up with suggestions that OSPE should be conducted more frequently. 7 faculty members participated in the feedback. All of them rated the total time for conduction of the exam as adequate and all of them suggested that OSPE should be regularly conducted in the department. Conclusion: Based on the feedback from students and faculty, the acceptance of OSPE was quite high and both students and the faculty recommended its regular implementation in future practical examinations.