Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Background: Appropriate assessment of competencies of students is very vital and integral part of any curriculum. Although many opportunities are available to do this more reliably, the Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is most favored.

Materials and methods: Total 134 students of 2^nd MBBS of GMERS Medical College, Valsad, Gujarat were subjected to Objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) after obtaining their informed written consent and their perceptions regarding Objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) were obtained via pre-tested and pre-validated Likert scale type questionnaire regarding usefulness of OSPE in Forensic Medicine. Data obtained were analyzed via median score and tabulated.

Results: Most of the students felt that OSPE require detail study of practical aspect, it is more uniform and objective in nature as all students are asked similar questions with same difficulty level as well as students prefer OSPE as part of my internal and university evaluation method. Students were not sure about few aspects like OSPE eliminate question of luck in examination as well as OSPE leads to less fear of examiners as no interaction with examiners. Many students were agreed upon the fact that OSPE encourage me to pay more attention in practical examination, OSPE is a good form of examination and learning tool, OSPE covers important topics and relevant with objectives of syllabus, OSPE is fair and unbiased system of evaluation as well as student were agreed upon that OSPE is time consuming and difficult.

Conclusion: OSPE is one of the very good methods of assessment but not yet widely accepted and implemented in many colleges of India in subject of Forensic Medicine because it is difficult to conduct, require prior arrangement, time consuming and lack of training of teachers. Present study showed positive perceptions of students towards OSPE in Forensic Medicine subject.