Currie G P, Sinha S, Thomson F, Cleland J, Denison A R
GP Currie, Chest Clinic C, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK. Email:
J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2017 Jun;47(2):164-167. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2017.215.
Background Tablet computers have emerged as a tool to capture, process and store data in examinations, yet evidence relating to their acceptability and usefulness in assessment is limited. Methods We performed an observational study to explore opinions and attitudes relating to tablet computer use in recording performance in a final year objective structured clinical examination at a single UK medical school. Examiners completed a short questionnaire encompassing background, forced-choice and open questions. Forced choice questions were analysed using descriptive statistics and open questions by framework analysis. Results Ninety-two (97% response rate) examiners completed the questionnaire of whom 85% had previous use of tablet computers. Ninety per cent felt checklist mark allocation was 'very/quite easy', while approximately half considered recording 'free-type' comments was 'easy/very easy'. Greater overall efficiency of marking and resource savings were considered the main advantages of tablet computers, while concerns relating to technological failure and ability to record free type comments were raised. Discussion In a context where examiners were familiar with tablet computers, they were preferred to paper checklists, although concerns were raised. This study adds to the limited literature underpinning the use of electronic devices as acceptable tools in objective structured clinical examinations.
背景 平板电脑已成为在考试中采集、处理和存储数据的一种工具，然而关于其在评估中的可接受性和实用性的证据有限。方法 我们进行了一项观察性研究，以探讨在英国一所医学院校的最后一年客观结构化临床考试中，与使用平板电脑记录表现相关的意见和态度。考官们完成了一份简短的问卷，包括背景、多项选择题和开放式问题。多项选择题使用描述性统计进行分析，开放式问题通过框架分析进行分析。结果 92名（回复率97%）考官完成了问卷，其中85%以前使用过平板电脑。90%的人认为核对清单评分分配“非常/相当容易”，而约一半的人认为记录“自由形式”评论“容易/非常容易”。评分的总体效率提高和资源节省被认为是平板电脑的主要优点，同时也有人提出了对技术故障和记录自由形式评论能力的担忧。讨论 在考官熟悉平板电脑的背景下，尽管存在担忧，但他们更喜欢使用平板电脑而非纸质核对清单。这项研究为将电子设备用作客观结构化临床考试中可接受工具的有限文献增添了内容。
