Volume 34, Number 8

September 2005

Towards Better Practices in Medical Student Assessment

Decades ago, when the science of medical education was just beginning to take a formal shape, one of its early doyens, the late Professor George E Miller (1919-98) observed emphatically that “assessment drives students learning” . Assessment not only determines what students will learn, but also determines their learning...

What do You Mean by “Satisfactory”?

There were 2 questions which initiated this research. One became the title of this paper; the other was a concern that the integration of competencies into existing assessment practices could jeopardise the high standards required of trainees before they graduate as independent practitioners. This article is available only as a...

Critiques on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Assessment techniques appear to have an impact on study strategies1 and to influence the performance of students.2,3 The proper selection of a method of assessment can improve student performance.2 Faulty methods of assessment can lead to wrong decisions (pass or fail in certain areas) that might be deleterious to...

Standards Medical Students Set for Themselves when Preparing for the Final MBBS Examination

The standard of the examination is all-important to the examinee. However, the setting of standards is often arbitrary and without guidelines. 1 Even equally experienced, like-minded examiners disagree on the delineation between passing and failing due to the uncertain standard of the examination. No examination can fulfil its objectives...

Assessing Professionalism in Early Medical Education: Experience with Peer Evaluation and Self-evaluation in the Gross Anatomy Course

The professional role of physicians implies a commitment to upholding social order by providing strong leadership, good moral judgement, and the ethical practice of medicine.1-3 However, in the latter part of the 20th century, increasing pressure from political, legal, and market forces has effected significant change in healthcare delivery...