Assessment to Optimize Learning Strategies: A Qualitative Study of Student and Faculty Perceptions

Abstract

Phenomenon: The format of medical knowledge assessment can promote students’ use of effective learning strategies from the learning sciences literature, such as elaboration, interleaving, retrieval practice, and distributed learning. Assessment format can also influence faculty teaching. Accordingly, our institution implemented a new assessment strategy in which pre-clerkship medical students answered weekly formative quizzes with constructed response questions (also referred to as open-ended questions) and multiple-choice questions in preparation for summative open-ended question examinations, to support students’ use of recommended learning strategies. Our qualitative study explored medical student and faculty perceptions of this assessment strategy on learning and teaching. Approach: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 second-year medical students to explore their preparation for quizzes and summative examinations. We also interviewed 10 faculty responsible for writing and grading these assessments in the pre-clerkship foundational sciences curriculum regarding their approach to writing assessments and rubrics, and their perceptions of how their teaching may have changed with this assessment strategy. We analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis with a priori sensitizing concepts from the learning sciences literature. Findings: We identified four major themes characterizing student and faculty perceptions of weekly formative quizzes and summative OEQ examinations. Participants found that this assessment strategy helped (1) prioritize conceptual understanding, (2) simulate clinical problem solving, and (3) engage students and faculty in continuous improvement in their approach to learning or teaching. Faculty and students also recognized challenges and potential tradeoffs associated with these assessment formats. Participants identified (4) facilitators and barriers when implementing this assessment strategy. Insights: Our findings suggested that assessment of medical knowledge through weekly formative quizzes and summative open-ended question examinations can facilitate students’ use of effective learning strategies. Faculty also recognized improvements in their teaching and in quality of assessment. This format of assessment also presented some challenges and potential tradeoffs and significant institutional resources were required for implementation.