Virtual OSCE: Experience and challenges with a large cohort of pharmacy students

In response to the inability to conduct conventional face-to-face objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) due to the COVID-19 lockdown, this study explored options to design virtual OSCE (vOSCE) that meets the objectives and standards of effective competency-based assessment for a large coh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pharmacy Education
Main Author: Zulkifly H.H.; Zaki I.A.H.; Karuppannan M.; Noordin Z.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Pharmaceutical Federation 2022
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85126984348&doi=10.46542%2fpe.2022.221.2332&partnerID=40&md5=3b04740b56cc024843a7a3294ab8c4db
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Summary:In response to the inability to conduct conventional face-to-face objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) due to the COVID-19 lockdown, this study explored options to design virtual OSCE (vOSCE) that meets the objectives and standards of effective competency-based assessment for a large cohort of pharmacy students. The vOSCE required advanced planning of the actual assessment and technical conduct. The development of a master plan consisting of the types of competencies to test, topics and number of cases, and assessment rubrics, guided the team members to develop an adequate OSCE assessment module. Technical aspects included recruitment of examiners, simulated patients (SP), technical support, and a platform for vOSCE. The main challenges were to ensure well-ordered vOSCE and a stable internet connection for examiners, SP, and students. Google Meet was utilised due to its functionality, familiarity, and low internet consumption to all parties involved. Feedback was obtained from stakeholders to improve future OSCE conduct. © 2022 FIP.
ISSN:15602214
DOI:10.46542/pe.2022.221.2332