Medical students’ perception regarding objective structured clinical examination in Medical College, Chitwan

Abstract

Background: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been globally recognized as gold standard of performance based assessment that aids in evaluating the clinical competency of medical undergraduate students. Hence, it increases the confidence of students in their learning ability by helping them to identify areas of weakness and gaps in their competencies. This study was conducted to identify perception towards OSCE among medical students.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted and a total 173 respondents were selected from MBBS 4th and 5th year of Chitwan Medical College by using probability stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaire with 5-point likert scale were used to collect the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze data.

Results: About half of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students had positive perception toward OSCE. There is significant association between the level of perception towards OSCE and year of study (p=0.002), choice of study MBBS (p=0.045) and evidenced based learning (p=0.041).

Conclusions: Thus, optimum emphasis should be given on formulating OSCE guideline and orienting student about it and also organization should create environment to facilitate actual objective structured clinical examination in order to increase positive perception in our context.