Abstract

Objective: To study the comparison between Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) and Conventional Practical Examination to assess the better understanding of topic and effectiveness of teaching tool.
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place of Study: Islamabad Medical and Dental College Islamabad.
Duration of Study: Three months time period from 1st April to 30th June 2014.
Methodology: Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Islamabad Medical and Dental College Islamabad approved present study.
110 first year MBBS students were selected for this study. Verbal consent was taken and students were told about the purpose of study. They were given one month time duration for preparation, regarding selected topic,which was tests on Carbohydrates, prior to assessment. They were assessed by two teaching tools, objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) and conventional examination with an interval of one day. Results were compiled, data was analyzed (SPSS 21). Paired T test and Chi-Square tests were applied. Number of pass and fail students were also analyzed.

Results: A total of 110 students participated in the present study. It was found that students obtained significantly higher marks in conventional assessment as compared to OSPE. The students were not trained for OSPE. They found this new tool time consuming and required more training prior to attempt. The number of passing percentage was higher in conventional practical exam than OSPE.
Conclusion: Present study states that proper training and exposure to the OSPE system is required for students to attain benefit from it and maximum marks can be obtained by students. The students were unable to obtain maximum marks from OSPE because they were not properly trained. These similar students were asked to take conventional practical exam and they scored 13% more marks because time allotted was not fixed for each question. Passing percentage can be improved by allowing students more exposure to the OSPE, which is better and modified tool.

Key words: Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE), Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), assessment