Objective structured practical examination (OSPE) versus viva voce: the Indian students’ and faculty perception

S A Rokade,A K Mane

doi:10.4038/seajme.v13i2.206

Abstract

Introduction: In most of the medical colleges in India, practical examination in Anatomy is conducted in the form of conventional viva-voce. Viva-voce is however limited by its lack of validity, reliability and objectivity. Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) has been proposed as objective, reliable and valid method of assessment. The present study was conducted to assess the feasibility of conducting OSPE in our set-up and to determine perception of first year undergraduate medical students and anatomy faculties towards OSPE vis-a-vis viva-voce. Method: A total 200 1st MBBS students and 13 anatomy faculties participated in this study. The students were exposed to conventional viva followed by OSPE. The perception of students and faculties about conventional viva and OSPE was assessed through separate pre-tested, pre-validated structured feedback forms. Result: OSPE was conducted smoothly. Positive feedback was received from both students and faculties about quality of OSPE. Students perceived that OSPE was significantly better than viva-voce on parameters like effect of examiner’s mood on scores awarded, personal bias, level of transparency, carry over effect, equal opportunity to all students and level of stress (p Conclusion: OSPE is preferred over conventional viva by students, while the faculty preferred appropriate combination of both these methods.

Highlights

In most of the medical colleges in India, practical examination in Anatomy is conducted in the form of conventional viva-voce
Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is preferred over conventional viva by students, while the faculty preferred appropriate combination of both these methods
Though we focus on ‘student - centered teaching’, very few studies are conducted on how our students perceive conventional viva as well as OSPE

Summary

Introduction

In most of the medical colleges in India, practical examination in Anatomy is conducted in the form of conventional viva-voce. Viva-voce is limited by its lack of validity, reliability and objectivity. In most of the medical colleges in India, practical examination in Anatomy for undergraduate students is conducted predominantly in the form of conventional viva voce. It is often blamed for its lack of validity, reliability and objectivity (Davis et al, 2005; Sierles et al, 2001; Varuni et al, 2012; Weingarten et al, 2000). Previous study reported that the subjectivity involved in conventional viva may reduce the correlation coefficient, between marks awarded by different examiners for the same candidates’

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Discussion

Conclusion