Evaluation Of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): Physiotherapy Student’s Perception

Evaluation of OSCE : Physiotherapy student’s perception

Abstract

Context: Learning skill of physical diagnosis is critical part of physiotherapy curriculum. Measuring skill acquisition objectively is the essential first step in improving clinical competence.Need for innovation: Acquisition of skills of performing physical examination by undergraduate students ,which help in reaching correct diagnosis, is an important objective of curriculum designed for bachelor of physiotherapy course.Assessement of skill acquisition by students objectively, is an essential step in evaluation of improved clinical competence.Method: The ethical committee approval was obtained. Written consent obtained from students participated in the study. The Masters (observers) and bachelor students attended the OSCE training sessions and role play was enacted. There were 14 stations including 3 rest stations, 7 and 4 stations were observed and non-observed respectively. The performance of students is evaluated independently at each station, using checklist. Validated questionnaire feedback form was used for feedback both from students and observers.Lessons learnt: This programme has been a learning process for both master’s students and bachelor students as they strive to achieve better outcomes in the provision of higher quality education to students, and enhanced skills required for differential diagnosis to understand pathology better. An OSCE can be used as effective learning tool besides being assessment tool. [John S NJIRM 2014; 5(3):98-101]