Evaluating the impact of faculty development programme initiative: are we really improving skills in MCQ writing?

Authors

  • Faiza Kiran Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6014-1153
  • Rukhsana Ayub National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Ayesha Rauf National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Khadija Qamar Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.1207

Abstract

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-hour workshop in improving faculty competence in developing high quality test items.

Methodology: The study took place in National University of Medical Sciences and its affiliated institutes in Pakistan, during a period of six months in year 2018. It was a descriptive, cross sectional study. A series of seven workshops on quality assurance in writing MCQs was conducted as part of faculty development program, emphasizing hand-on experience and prompt feedback. Participants’ satisfaction was evaluated with a post-workshop feedback questionnaire (Kirkpatrick 1). A self-made structured questionnaire was given as a pre-test and post-test, to check improvement in cognition, behaviour and item writing skills of faculty (Kirkpatrick 2). Paired t test was applied and difference in mean scores of responses was evaluated.

Results: Total 141 faculty members were trained.  The training session led to high satisfaction in all elements of workshop, significant improvements in boosting confidence in item writing skills(p=0.000), recognizing parts of MCQs (p=0.000), identifying item writing flaws (p=0.000) and levels of Millers pyramid and blooms taxonomy (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Training sessions of short duration are effective in improving the competence of faculty in writing quality test items, provided hands-on experience is built-in and effective feedback is provided.

Continuous...

Author Biographies

Faiza Kiran , Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Assistant Professor NUMS department of Health Professions Education

Rukhsana Ayub, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Assistant Dean Assessment NUMS Department of Health Professions Education 

Ayesha Rauf, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

HoD NUMS Department of Health Professions Education

Associate Professor HPE, Assistant Dean Curriculum

 

Khadija Qamar, Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Professor of Anatomy, Director Medical Education

Published

2021-07-26

How to Cite

Kiran , F. ., Ayub, R. ., Rauf, A. ., & Qamar, K. . (2021). Evaluating the impact of faculty development programme initiative: are we really improving skills in MCQ writing?. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 71(10), 2434–2438. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.1207

Issue

Section

Original Article