Summative Assesment Based On Objective Structured Practical Examination (Ospe) In Forensic Medicine And Toxicology In A Medical College In South India-An Experience And Students Perspective

Summative assessment is an assessment administered to the students at the end of a teaching period. This assessment is intended to assess students’ learning ability and knowledge gained during the period based on the specific comparison of their performance with the standard learning outcome specified in the course. Various assessment formats are used in the summative assessments including class tests, end of semester examination, online assessments etc. In these formats the pattern would be either multiple choice questions or descriptive type questions are asked. To assess the practical knowledge gained during the teaching period, the conventional practical examination system is followed in most of the medical colleges. However, many of the medical colleges are now using Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) pattern which is becoming more common method of practical assessment among the medical students. In the present study, pattern of OSPE employed in the center was described and the students’ perception about the OSPE examination was evaluated.