Student Assessment in Pharmacology: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The assessment of student is an important step to check learning in medical education. Conventional Oral Viva Voce (COVV) is an important assessment tool but have certain demerits like more subjectivity, gender bias. So, COVV should be modified to make it proper assessment tool in second year MBBS students as per new curriculum in medical education. Aim: To develop and assess Structured Oral Viva Voce (SOVV) and compare with COVV in second year MBBS students. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was done in the second year medical undergraduate students of fourth semester at GMERS Medical College and Civil Hospital, Sola, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Viva cards for SOVV were developed and was validated by the experts. Teachers and students were sensitised for SOVV. A total 116 students participated and were randomly assigned to four groups: Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D for viva voce in between four examiners. Group A and B were assessed by SOVV and Group C and D were assessed by COVV then groups were crossed over. In SOVV part, students picked up one viva card consisting of nine questions of different level and had to give answers in 10 minutes. Students and faculties perception were taken by perception questionnaires. Data were analysed by Microsoft Excel and Graph Pad Instate 3 (version 3.06). Results: In SOVV, mean marks given by all examiners having uniformity, while in COVV, there was significant difference in mean marks given by examiners, mainly examiner A (7.66±1.86) and examiner D (10.01±2.08), (p<0.05). About 100% of faculty and 83.62% students agreed that SOVV is a better method than COVV. Conclusion: Based on study results and feedback from students in this college set-up, SOVV in pharmacology brings uniformity in viva process, increases objectivity and removes inter-examiner variability.