Evaluation of medical students in the final year professorial clerkship of gynaecology and obstetrics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: A descriptive study

Abstract

Medical education is a vast, evolving field that spans five years. Assessing and evaluating students throughout their education is essential. Pre-tests and post-tests are commonly used methods to gauge students' initial knowledge and measure

progress after teaching interventions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate final- year medical students at the University of Peradeniya during their gynaecology and

obstetrics professorial clerkship in 2022. A descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 210 final-year medical students who were participating in gynaecology and obstetrics professorial appointments at the University of Peradeniya. Participants have shown an over 90% response rate. Pre- and post-test assessments included written questions (Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), best answer type), Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), and VIVA. The data was analysed

using SPSS 26.0. Results were reported as percentages and mean values. Paired t- tests were used to compare the pre-test and post-test grades; p-value <0.05 was

considered statistically significant. Student feedback was categorized as negative and positive in qualitative analysis. The post-test scores showed a significant overall improvement, reflecting enhanced knowledge and clinical skills (pre-test: 54.52 ± 11.943; post-test: 76.79 ± 12.648). OSCE had the highest mean (pre-test: 60.20 ± 20.110; post-test: 88.15 ± 12.365), and MCQ scored lowest. (pre-test: 38.67 ± 13.758; post-test: 63.78 ± 13.228). Our findings provide evidence that higher post-test scores can be attributed to increased attentiveness, curiosity, knowledge retention, and repeated experience, as supported by previous studies. The study underscores the importance of OSCE in enhancing clinical skills compared to traditional testing methods. It also highlights the necessity of assessing the clerkship program to nurture competent physicians. The gynaecology and obstetrics clerkship, with pre-test, and post-tests, effectively enhances students' knowledge and skills, as acknowledged by over 60% of participants. Sustained progress requires continuous improvement and regular discussions, with a particular focus on MCQs.