Students’ Viewpoint: Challenges and Preparation of Medical Students for Final Clinical Examination during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the clinical attachment for medical students to be deferred in ensuring reduction of viral transmission.  Patients encounter was near impossible, thus suspending medical students’ clinical skills on real patients. Despite this, the final examination had to be conducted. Hence, appropriate planning was made to ensure candidates were well prepared. A paradigm shift was made by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) with regards to the medical education delivery and the final undergraduate examination organization. The traditional in-person teaching and learning sessions were converted to video conferences and small group discussions to ensure social distancing. Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) consisting of sixteen manned and twenty unmanned stations were introduced to replace the conventional one long and three short cases clinical examinations. The pandemic became the biggest obstacle for the final year medical students physically and psychologically. Familiarisation with the new format of learning and examination has to be made within three months. Online learning materials became resourceful during revisions. Simulated OSCE conducted by the lecturers, were advantageous to the students in ensuring familiarity to the new examination technique. Role-plays involving students’ family members and colleagues as patients, aided the candidates to rehearse their physical examinations and history taking techniques. The intensive teaching and learning sessions have enabled the candidates to be equipped with the new examination requirement. Reflection: Generally, candidates favour OSCE over traditional clinical examinations. This preponderance was due to OSCE capability in assessing the entire aspects of knowledge and skills in variable rotations throughout medical school.