Assessment of competency of medical students in community medicine

Jeevithan Shunmugam; Dhanasekar Gurupatham

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20151478

Authors

Jeevithan Shunmugam Department of Community Medicine, Annapporana Medical College & Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu
Dhanasekar Gurupatham Department of Community Medicine, Annapporana Medical College & Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20151478

Keywords:

Competency, Knowledge, Skill, Assessment

Abstract

Background: Competence is the ability to perform a specific task in a manner that yields desirable outcomes. This implies the ability to apply knowledge and skills successfully to new situations as well as to familiar tasks for which prescribed standards exist. The current examination pattern is designed much to test the knowledge of the students and not the skill.

Methods:A cross sectional study was designed to assess the knowledge and skill acquired by the students during the course of their study in Community Medicine, for different batches of students during various semesters, based on the MCI guidelines.

Results: The score ranged from 0 to 67% in knowledge component and 3.49 to 13.29% in skill component.

Conclusions:The mastery of practical skill and problem solving ability are important equally. So it is essential to move away from the knowledge dominated examinations to more skill oriented examinations.

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