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Twelve tips for introducing very short answer questions (VSAQs) into your medical curriculum.

Authors :
Bala, Laksha
Westacott, Rachel J.
Brown, Celia
Sam, Amir H.
Source :
Medical Teacher; Apr2023, Vol. 45 Issue 4, p360-367, 8p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Most undergraduate written examinations use multiple-choice questions, such as single best answer questions (SBAQs) to assess medical knowledge. In recent years, a strong evidence base has emerged for the use of very short answer questions (VSAQs). VSAQs have been shown to be an acceptable, reliable, discriminatory, and cost-effective assessment tool in both formative and summative undergraduate assessments. VSAQs address many of the concerns raised by educators using SBAQs including inauthentic clinical scenarios, cueing and test-taking behaviours by students, as well as the limited feedback SBAQs provide for both students and teachers. The widespread use of VSAQs in medical assessment has yet to be adopted, possibly due to lack of familiarity and experience with this assessment method. The following twelve tips have been constructed using our own practical experience of VSAQs alongside supporting evidence from the literature to help medical educators successfully plan, construct and implement VSAQs within medical curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0142159X
Volume :
45
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Medical Teacher
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
162968834
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2022.2093706