Abstract
PurposeIt aimed to compare the use of the tele-objective structured clinical examination (teleOSCE) with in-person assessment in high-stakes clinical examination so as to determine the impact of the teleOSCE on the assessment undertaken. Discussion follows regarding what skills and domains can effectively be assessed in a teleOSCE.MethodsThis study is a retrospective observational analysis. It compares the results achieved by final year medical students in their clinical examination, assessed using the teleOSCE in 2020 (n=285), with those who were examined using the traditional in-person format in 2019 (n=280). The study was undertaken at the University of New South Wales, Australia.ResultsIn the domain of physical examination, students in 2020 scored 0.277 points higher than those in 2019 (mean difference=–0.277, P<0.001, effect size=0.332). Across all other domains, there was no significant difference in mean scores between 2019 and 2020.ConclusionThe teleOSCE does not negatively impact assessment in clinical examination in all domains except physical examination. If the teleOSCE is the future of clinical skills examination, assessment of physical examination will require concomitant workplace-based assessment.
Highlights
Rationale On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic disease [1]
Positive perceptions could be explained by remarkable advances in recent years in computer-based platforms in health sciences education, which have progressed to the point that they offer a learning climate similar to face-to-face teaching
Technology access, computer skills, pedagogical engineering quality of online courses, and learning flexibility were the main items associated with positive perceptions of e-learning
Summary
Rationale On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic disease [1] This urgent and unexpected situation has caused unprecedented challenges to health systems, especially in the health sciences education sector, where concerns have been raised regarding the possibility that medical and nursing students could contract COVID-19 during their training and become potential transmitters of the virus in health care institutions. E-learning is a teaching approach based on digital media and devices as tools to improve access to training, communication, and interactions between teachers and students [4]. It is a relatively new and growing approach in health professions education [5]. When using e-learning platforms, students interact with teachers, educational content, and technological innovations [6]
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