The reliability and predictive validity of a sixth-semester OSPE in conservative dentistry regarding performance on the state examination

  • Introduction: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the testing format of an OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) in conservative dentistry (sixth semester) predicts the scores on the practical section of the state examination (11th semester) in the same subject. Taking general student profiles into consideration (score on the school-leaving exam [Abitur], score on the preliminary exam in dental medicine [Physikum], length of university study, cohorts, and sex), we also investigated if any correlations or differences exist in regard to the total and partial scores on the OSPE and the corresponding state examination. Methods: Within the scope of this longitudinal retrospective study, exam-specific data spanning 11 semesters for dental students (N=223) in Frankfurt am Main were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out by calculating Spearman rank correlations, partial correlations, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions (SPSS Statistics 21, IBM Corporation, New York). Results: The results show that the OSPE (Cronbach’s α=.87) correlates with level of success on the practical section of the state exam in conservative dentistry (p=.01, r=.17). Length of university study also emerged to correlate significantly with the state exam score (p=.001, r=.23). Together, these two variables contribute significantly to predicting the state exam score (p=.001, R2=.076). This was seen extensively among female students. It was also discovered that these female students had higher school-leaving exam scores than male students (F=6.09, p=.01, η2=.027), and that a significant correlation between scores on the Physikum (preliminary exam in dental medicine) and OSPE scores existed only for male students (r=.17, p=.01). Conclusion: This study was able to demonstrate the predictive effect of a clinical OSPE regarding scores achieved on the state exam. Taking the limitations of this study into account, we are able to recommend using the OSPE testing format in the sixth semester during the clinical phase of dental study.

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Author:Petkov Petko, Katja Knuth-HerzigGND, Sebastian Herbert HöferGND, Sebastian StehleGND, Sonja Scherer, Björn SteffenGND, Stephan Scherzer, Falk OchsendorfORCiDGND, Holger HorzORCiDGND, Robert Alexander SaderORCiDGND, Susanne Gerhardt-SzépGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-442347
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3205/zma001087
ISSN:2366-5017
Pubmed Id:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28293677
Parent Title (English):GMS journal for medical education
Publisher:GMS
Place of publication:[Düsseldorf]
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2017/06/22
Date of first Publication:2017/02/15
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2017/06/22
Tag:OSCE; OSPE; clinical competency; length of study; predictive validity; reliability; state exams
Volume:34
Issue:1, Doc10
Page Number:8
First Page:1
Last Page:8
Note:
© 2017 Petko et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
HeBIS-PPN:421361158
Institutes:Psychologie und Sportwissenschaften / Psychologie
Medizin / Medizin
Wissenschaftliche Zentren und koordinierte Programme / Starker Start ins Studium: Qualitätspakt Lehre
Dewey Decimal Classification:6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - Namensnennung 4.0