Assessing the Effectiveness of the Integrated OSPE in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum, Students’ Perception

Abstract

Introduction: Integrated OSPE is a multi-disciplinary practical exam where many disciplines are included. Each station is written as a case scenario after that the students are requested to perform a specific practical task and answer a specific question related to the case. Thereafter there is integration between cognitive and psychomotor skills. In addition to that also integrated OSPE is aligned also with the vertical integration as in the same exam, the student will be assessed on knowledge and skills of basic and clinical sciences. The current study assesses the effectiveness of the integrated OSPE from students’ perception in addition to psychometric analysis for the integrated OSPE satisfaction questionnaire was performed to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Aim of the Study: To assess the second-and third-year medical students’ perception of integrated OSPE. Material and Methods: A descriptive study, cross-sectional study is utilized where a factor analysis of the inter-correlations of responses to 23 items reflecting the assessment of students’ perception towards Integrated OSPE for a sample of 293 medical students was carried out. The study was conducted at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, KSA. Instrument: 23 items self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to secondand third-year medical students. Results: Most of the students were satisfied with the integrated OSPE. The results revealed that the 23 items of the I-OSPE satisfaction survey resulted in four factors. Conclusion: Integrated OSPE is vital to be implemented and assessed especially in an integrated curriculum as the teaching strategies need to be aligned with the assessment methods. The current study shows high students satisfaction rate for the I-OSPE.