Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: November | Volume: 7 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 56-62
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills as an Assessment Tool for Postgraduates in Medical Microbiology
Dr. Suvarna Sande (Tathe)
Professor & Head, Dept. Of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe). Wardha-442004, Maharashtra, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr.Suvarna Sande (Tathe)
ABSTRACT
Rationale of study: Competence forms the foundation of practice in any profession & inferred from performance. Decisions about professional competence are based on observation of the proficiency of trainees performing authentic tasks accurately related to the practice of medicine. Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) is the method for assessing competence in the practical procedures that trainees undertake.
Aim: To study the utility of DOPS as an assessment tool in Post Graduate (PG) students in Medical Microbiology.
Material &Methods: All the participants were sensitized about DOPS. Standard operative procedure & checklists for core skills were prepared. 3 different procedures were selected for 1st &2nd year PGS & 6 encounters per procedure were taken. Pretest, post test were taken for each procedure & scores were utilized for assessing learning outcome for PGs. Students’ DOPS score before & after feedback & practice were compared. Feedback questionnaire was used to evaluate participants’ perception about DOPS.
Result: The mean post test score improved significantly (P<0.05) the absolute& relative learning gain, average normalized gain were highest for student A. t test was applied for mean +SD of DOPS 1and DOPS 6 score of all the three procedure for each student and p value was found to be highly statistically significant. Feedback from the faculty & PGs suggested that they like DOPs as an assessment & learning tool.
Conclusion: DOPS was found to be acceptable and feasible method for performance assessment. Direct observation followed by contextual feedback helps postgraduate to learn and improve practical skills.
Key words: DOPS, assessment, Post graduate students.