Application of OSCE for assessment in practical training of microbiology

Objective:In medical school OSCE is commonly used, but dental education in Japan, OSCE was only tried at the Common Achievement test. In this study, we tried modified OSCE for assessment of attitude, knowledge and acquirement in practical training of microbiology. Materials and Methods: Our assessment of practical training of microbiology (3rd year students) was based on amount of daily presence and attitude of practice (40%), daily report (30%) and OSCE (30%). We prepared the issue and materials of bacterial isolation culture and gram staining from unknown sample and 5 assessors and 1 assistant who were stuff of department of microbiology. OSCE was done at last day of the course. The observation record was constructed 15 items and 3 standardized grade (good:2, acceptable:1,unacceptable:0). After OSCE, we did feedback to each student when quality assessment of gram staining sample using a microscopy and took questionnaire from all students. After 48hours, quality assessment of isolation culture was done. Results:98% of students showed acceptable performance in attitude and gram staining skill, but 20% of students showed low performance in selection of agar plate and skill of bacterial culture. In quality assessment, 81% of students showed good results in gram staining, but 40% of students were unacceptable level in isolation culture. The amount of assessment in this course was strongly reflected the modified OSCE assessment (r=0.836). Following the questionnaire, 85% of Students had a first experience of OSCE. 52% of students preferred OSCE than paper examination. In addition, 62% of students thought the issue was just as well, 31%of students felt easy, but only 7% of students felt difficult. conclusion:These results suggested that OSCE in assessment of practical training of basic medical science is excellent method and it set up a various chance for the students before the Common Achievement test.