The design, implementation and evaluation of electronic objective structured clinical examinations in diagnostic imaging: An 'action research' strategy

Phillips, R.; Palarm, T. W.; Griffiths, Marc

Abstract

Aim: This paper discusses the design, implementation and evaluation of an electronic version of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (e-OSCE) for student assessment in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in diagnostic imaging. Assessment design: Web-authoring software and multimedia manipulation tools were used to design interactive web pages. The use of this software, in addition to the authors' experience of assessment, permitted the development of a dynamic environment rather than cross-application switching between various software packages. Method and data collection: Over a 6 month period, the researchers participated as facilitators in six action research cycles of problem solving, involving 33 students. The students were either undergraduate diagnostic radiographers, or practitioners studying for a postgraduate qualification in medical ultrasound. Data was collected using the following sources inter alia; reflective diaries, invigilators' notes and observations during the assessment process and student evaluation forms. Results: Each of the action research cycles resulted in the auth ors developing and further enhancing the overall design of the web e-OSCE, in terms of user-friendliness, interactivity and navigation facilities. Although students expressed initial anxieties, they rated their overall experience positively. Conclusion: Ultimately, this form of assessment is considered to be cost effective in terms of staff and equipment resources, as well as student preference. The researchers would recommend the use of e-OSCEs as an effective means of assessing various learning outcomes, at differing academic levels, in both undergraduate and postgraduate imaging programmes. © Greenwich Medical Media Ltd. 2004.

Citation

Phillips, R., Palarm, T. W., Griffiths, M., Phillips, R., & Palarm, T. (2004). The design, implementation and evaluation of electronic objective structured clinical examinations in diagnostic imaging: An 'action research' strategy. Journal of Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging, 5(2), 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1460472804000045

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2004
• Journal: Journal of Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging
• Print ISSN: 1460-4728
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 79-87
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1460472804000045
• Keywords: diagnostic imaging, electronic objective structures clinical examinations
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1061755
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1460472804000045