Workplace based clinical procedural skills assessment using directly observed procedural skills in interns in Otorhinolaryngology rotation

ABSTRACT

Background: In view of changing requirements in healthcare systems and planned reforms of medical education curricula, effective teaching and assessment of clinical skills in the undergraduate setting has become more and more important. There is a need for implementation of newer methods of evaluation keeping in mind the principles of adult learning and self-directed learning. DOPS (directly observed procedural skills) is a highly structured assessment tool for assessment of the practical work performed by a trainee on a real patient under supervision of experienced faculty. This study aimed to make use of DOPS as a method of workplace based assessment for interns in otorhinolaryngology posting.Methods: 15 interns posted in department of otorhinolaryngology participated in the study. Three clinical procedural skills included were anterior rhinoscopy, otoscopy and indirect laryngoscopy. Three DOPS were undertaken for each skill. The performance was noted as DOPS ratings. The results were tabulated and statistically analysed.Results: A total of 135 DOPS were undertaken for 15 interns. Mean overall DOPS rating improved from DOPS 1 to DOPS 3. The difference in value between DOPS 1 and 3 for anterior rhinoscopy was statistically significant. For otoscopy and indirect laryngology, the difference between DOPS 1 and 2, DOPS 1 and 3 was statistically significant. Both faculty and interns found DOPS to be an efficient tool for assessment.Conclusions: DOPS  is a cost effective assessment tool. It has an effective role in facilitating students’ learning and skill development as it is based on the direct observation of trainees’ procedural skills in real clinical environment.