Practical Skills Evaluation of Medical Students with a Mini-Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) for Nosocomial Infections

Abstract

Evaluation is the driving force promoting learning in medical students who are mostly ‘exam oriented.’ Doctors play an important role in spreading nosocomial infections due to noncompliance with preventive measures. This could stem from lacunae in the traditional system of education wherein certain practical skills aren’t evaluated. In this study, an innovative mini OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) for nosocomial infections was designed and implemented for post teaching evaluation of practical skills such as hand washing and safe hospital waste disposal. Seventy eight students, divided into two cohorts were evaluated after they underwent the traditional method of lecturing or hands on small group teaching. The mini OSPE demonstrated a significant increase in acquisition of practical skills in the cohort which underwent small group teaching as compared to the one which underwent traditional teaching. Within the small group teaching cohort, the scores improved in the late phase as compared to the early phase, the difference being statistically significant. Innovative techniques such as mini OSPE are valuable tools of evaluation and should be incorporated in the curriculum of para clinical subjects. When applied to important topics such as Nosocomial infections, this can help enhance learning and retention of practical skills with better application to future clinical practice.