The feasibility and acceptability of administering a telemedicine objective structured clinical exam as a solution for providing equivalent education to remote and rural learners. Rural Remote Health 2015;15(4):3399
Date
12/04/2015Pubmed ID
26632083Pubmed Central ID
PMC4763875Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84959326192 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 40 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Although many medical schools incorporate distance learning into their curricula, assessing students at a distance can be challenging. While some assessments are relatively simple to administer to remote students, other assessments, such as objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs) are not. This article describes a means to more effectively and efficiently assess distance learners and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the assessment.
METHODS: We developed a teleOSCE, administered online in real time, to two cohorts of students on a rural clerkship rotation and assessed the feasibility and acceptability of using such an approach to assess medical students' clinical skills at rural locations. Project feasibility was defined as having development and implementation costs of less than $5000. Project acceptability was determined by analyzing student interview transcripts. A qualitative case study design framework was chosen due to the novel nature of the activity.
RESULTS: The implementation cost of the teleOSCE was approximately US$1577.20, making it a feasible educational endeavor. Interview data indicated the teleOSCE was also acceptable to students.
CONCLUSIONS: The teleOSCE format may be useful to other institutions as a method to centrally administer clinical skills exams for assessment of distance medical students.
Author List
Palmer RT, Biagioli FE, Mujcic J, Schneider BN, Spires L, Dodson LGAuthor
Lisa Grill Dodson MD Campus Dean, Professor in the Medical School Regional Campuses department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AustraliaClinical Clerkship
Clinical Competence
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Curriculum
Education, Distance
Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Educational Measurement
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Pilot Projects
Program Evaluation
Rural Population
Schools, Medical
Students, Medical
Telemedicine
Young Adult
