A TRIAL OF THE OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED PRACTICAL EXAMINATION IN ANATOMY AT RURAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES & RESEARCH SAIFAI.

A single examination does not fulfill all the functions of assessment, such as assessing knowledge, comprehension, skills, motivation, and feedback [1,2,3]. A good test must be acceptable to those using it, feasible, valid and reliable [4]. The present study was undertaken to determine the reliability and student satisfaction regarding the objective structured practical examination (OSPE) as a method of practical examination. The present study was undertaken in the Department of Anatomy of UPRural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai. During the OSPE, students were made to rotate through 11 stations, of which 8 stations were composed of questions that tested their knowledge and critical thinking, 1 station tested their skills to carry out surface marking, and 1 station composed of skills that students had to perform before the examiner. One station was kept as the rest station. Performance of the students was assessed by comparing the students scores in the traditional practical examination (TPE) and OSPE.Student perspectives regarding the OSPE were obtained by asking them to a questionnaire. Overall a better scoring was reached by all the students. Not only this, the number students failing in the practical examination was also reduced in OSPE.Feedback indicated that students were in favour of the OSPE compared with the TPE. Feedback from the students provided scope for improvement of ongoing practical examinations by inducting OSPE.