Abstract
Register
Abstract
Year 2021
October 2021

SHBC1339

Abstract Title
Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (VOSCE): Our Response to the New World of Medical Education
Authors

C.A.MAHIMY1, L.J.LAN1, J.J.M.SNG1, S.R.DORMITORIO1

Institutions

Tan Tock Seng Hospital1

Background & Hypothesis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, to allow the final year medical students to undergo a revision OSCE in preparation for their MBBS exams, TTSH Pre-Professional Education Office and National Healthcare Group Residents converted the traditional face to face OSCE session into a Virtual OSCE.

Methods

The VOSCE consisted of twelve break-out stations, running on two concurrent carousels, covering different areas such as physical examination and history taking. Students, Standardised Patients (SPs) and examiners interacted remotely through the virtual platform. To prepare for the VOSCE, the organising committee conducted technical runs and drafted training modules and standardised templates.

Results

141 students and 47 residents completed separate surveys on the VOSCE, which was on a 5-point Likert scale. 140/141 (99.3%) students rated Satisfied or Very Satisfied with how the VOSCE was conducted.  134/141 (95%) students rated Satisfied and Very Satisfied with the quality of teaching and individual feedback provided to them by the residents.

Overall, 44/47 (93.6%) residents rated that they Agree or Strongly Agree that the VOSCE is beneficial in preparing the students for housemanship. The two areas that the residents rated lower were on the question stem, which some (41/47, 87.2%) found to be too long, and 39/47 (83%) found the time allocated for each station was too short.

Discussion & Conclusion

The new VOSCE structure introduced creativity and shaped how teaching is done without compromising the students’ learning. It promoted growth and innovative ways for all involved to keep up with the current technology trends during a pandemic.

Top