Objective structured clinical examination "Death Certificate" station - Computer-based versus conventional exam format.

One option for improving the quality of medical post mortem examinations is through intensified training of medical students, especially in countries where such a requirement exists regardless of the area of specialisation. For this reason, new teaching and learning methods on this topic have recently been introduced. These new approaches include e-learning modules or SkillsLab stations; one way to objectify the resultant learning outcomes is by means of the OSCE process. However, despite offering several advantages, this examination format also requires considerable resources, in particular in regards to medical examiners. For this reason, many clinical disciplines have already implemented computer-based OSCE examination formats. This study investigates whether the conventional exam format for the OSCE forensic "Death Certificate" station could be replaced with a computer-based approach in future. For this study, 123 students completed the OSCE "Death Certificate" station, using both a computer-based and conventional format, half starting with the Computer the other starting with the conventional approach in their OSCE rotation. Assignment of examination cases was random. The examination results for the two stations were compared and both overall results and the individual items of the exam checklist were analysed by means of inferential statistics. Following statistical analysis of examination cases of varying difficulty levels and correction of the repeated measures effect, the results of both examination formats appear to be comparable. Thus, in the descriptive item analysis, while there were some significant differences between the computer-based and conventional OSCE stations, these differences were not reflected in the overall results after a correction factor was applied (e.g. point deductions for assistance from the medical examiner was possible only at the conventional station). Thus, we demonstrate that the computer-based OSCE "Death Certificate" station is a cost-efficient and standardised format for examination that yields results comparable to those from a conventional format exam. Moreover, the examination results also indicate the need to optimize both the test itself (adjusting the degree of difficulty of the case vignettes) and the corresponding instructional and learning methods (including, for example, the use of computer programmes to complete the death certificate in small group formats in the SkillsLab).

[Results of the Limberg transposition flap in the treatment of pilonidal sinus]. / Ergebnisse der Behandlung des Sinus pilonidalis durch Schwenklappenplastik nach Limberg.

The surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus with the Limberg transposition flap will be demonstrated in 40 patients (22 male; 18 female). First step is draining the infect by incision, followed by radical excision of the pilonidal sinus and covering of the defect by a rhomboid transposition flap. In 39 out of 40 cases primary wound healing occurred. No recurrence has yet been encountered. In one case a seroma was observed which was drained and showed secondary wound healing. The mean hospital stay was 7.9 days and the mean time until return to work was about 15 days. We consider the Limberg transposition flap to be an effective treatment of pilonidal sinus disease due to its technical simplicity and low complication rate.