Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME
Curricular revision efforts have resulted in learner-centered programs that value content integration and active learning. Yet, less attention has been placed on assessment methods that are learner-centered and promote assessment for learning. The use of context rich short answer question (CR-SAQ) e...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2019-01-01
|
| Series: | Medical Education Online |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2019.1649959 |
| _version_ | 1818191638046965760 |
|---|---|
| author | Jeffrey B. Bird Doreen M. Olvet Joanne M. Willey Judith Brenner |
| author_facet | Jeffrey B. Bird Doreen M. Olvet Joanne M. Willey Judith Brenner |
| author_sort | Jeffrey B. Bird |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Curricular revision efforts have resulted in learner-centered programs that value content integration and active learning. Yet, less attention has been placed on assessment methods that are learner-centered and promote assessment for learning. The use of context rich short answer question (CR-SAQ) exams in the preclinical years of medical school was evaluated to determine if this format aligns with the criteria for assessment for learning. Medical students and preclinical faculty members were sent a survey comprised of closed and open-ended questions about their experience using CR-SAQ exams. Data were analyzed using a mixed-method design. Open-ended responses were evaluated using thematic analysis within the framework of criteria for assessment for learning. A total of 274 students (94%) and 24 faculty (75%) completed the survey. Fifty four percent of students reported preferring a CR-SAQ exam format over multiple choice questions (MCQ) format. Quantitative data and qualitative comments by students supported that CR-SAQ exams aligned with criteria for assessment for learning, including acceptability, authenticity, educational effect, and the cueing effect. Student concerns included preparation for USMLE Step 1 exam, as well as the validity and reproducibility of CR-SAQ assessments. Faculty largely agreed with the benefits of the CR-SAQ, but were concerned about feasibility, acceptability and reproducibility. The CR-SAQ exam format assessment strategy supports assessment for learning in an undergraduate medical education setting. Both benefits and drawbacks of this method are presented, however students and faculty describe a broader impact that this assessment method has on their development as a physician. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:17:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd671c7675c346439731b7ab44101ba8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1087-2981 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:17:47Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Education Online |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd671c7675c346439731b7ab44101ba82022-12-22T00:44:49ZengTaylor & Francis GroupMedical Education Online1087-29812019-01-0124110.1080/10872981.2019.16499591649959Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UMEJeffrey B. Bird0Doreen M. Olvet1Joanne M. Willey2Judith Brenner3Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellDonald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellDonald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellZucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellCurricular revision efforts have resulted in learner-centered programs that value content integration and active learning. Yet, less attention has been placed on assessment methods that are learner-centered and promote assessment for learning. The use of context rich short answer question (CR-SAQ) exams in the preclinical years of medical school was evaluated to determine if this format aligns with the criteria for assessment for learning. Medical students and preclinical faculty members were sent a survey comprised of closed and open-ended questions about their experience using CR-SAQ exams. Data were analyzed using a mixed-method design. Open-ended responses were evaluated using thematic analysis within the framework of criteria for assessment for learning. A total of 274 students (94%) and 24 faculty (75%) completed the survey. Fifty four percent of students reported preferring a CR-SAQ exam format over multiple choice questions (MCQ) format. Quantitative data and qualitative comments by students supported that CR-SAQ exams aligned with criteria for assessment for learning, including acceptability, authenticity, educational effect, and the cueing effect. Student concerns included preparation for USMLE Step 1 exam, as well as the validity and reproducibility of CR-SAQ assessments. Faculty largely agreed with the benefits of the CR-SAQ, but were concerned about feasibility, acceptability and reproducibility. The CR-SAQ exam format assessment strategy supports assessment for learning in an undergraduate medical education setting. Both benefits and drawbacks of this method are presented, however students and faculty describe a broader impact that this assessment method has on their development as a physician.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2019.1649959assessmentintegrated curriculumundergraduate medical education |
| spellingShingle | Jeffrey B. Bird Doreen M. Olvet Joanne M. Willey Judith Brenner Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME Medical Education Online assessment integrated curriculum undergraduate medical education |
| title | Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME |
| title_full | Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME |
| title_fullStr | Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME |
| title_short | Patients don’t come with multiple choice options: essay-based assessment in UME |
| title_sort | patients don t come with multiple choice options essay based assessment in ume |
| topic | assessment integrated curriculum undergraduate medical education |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2019.1649959 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeffreybbird patientsdontcomewithmultiplechoiceoptionsessaybasedassessmentinume AT doreenmolvet patientsdontcomewithmultiplechoiceoptionsessaybasedassessmentinume AT joannemwilley patientsdontcomewithmultiplechoiceoptionsessaybasedassessmentinume AT judithbrenner patientsdontcomewithmultiplechoiceoptionsessaybasedassessmentinume |