European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF MID YEAR OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION (OSCE) OF SAUDI BOARD FAMILY MEDICINE, QASSIM REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

Dr. Saleh Abd El. Fattah Al. Gabbany*, Dr. K. Chandra Sekhar, Dr. Mohammed Al. Alfi and Dr. Omer Al. Yahia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Multiple methods are available to enhance the acceptability of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to medical students, residents and faculties. For instance, the planning and organization process are one of the crucial steps for the success of OSCE. The OSCE provides positive impact on the learning environment and student’s education and OSCE scenarios highly resemble real life cases. Objectives: 1 To find the demographic characteristics among the Family Medicine OSCE students (R1&R2) to the evaluation process. 2. To study the Objective Structured Clinical Examination validity as an evaluation tool. Materials & Methods: The present institutional based cross sectional record review study was conducted at King Fahad training centre by Family Medicine Board, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the period from May 2017 to June 2017 among 22 Family Medicine residents and 10 faculty members (As this centre having good space, simulated bodies and adequate mannequins). Confidentiality of the student’s names and their scores and faculty members evaluation sheets scores were kept confidential and data entered in MS office excel and necessary statistical tests were applied. Results: Out of 22 residents participated in the OSCE, 81.8% were from Saudi nation and remaining 18.2% were from non Saudi nations. Males and females were equally pursuing the board of Family Medicine studies. Total passing percentage range in the OSCE was from 65-82% and average marks scored in OSCE was 73.1%. There was considerable change in intra and inter observer variations in the OSCE and also this scoring depends upon the topics given in OSCE. Keeping more number of stations and more exposures (8-12) usually benefit and rationality to the students. Conclusions: Based on the study results, there will be difference of range of marks from one station to another station. This difference of marks also noticed due to wide range of topics in OSCE and first time exposure of the candidates. Increase frequency of conduction of such OSCE examinations in our region, more exposure of students and coordination among the faculty certainly fill the gap and leads to fruitful completion and better evaluation services in coming future. In addition, in-depth qualitative research methods could have been used to gain further insights in the study but can be on future research agenda including complete opinions of the participants.

Keywords: Age, Sex, Family Medicine residents (R1-1st year students & R2- 2nd year students), Objective Structured Clinical examination.