Menon Narayanankutty Sunilkumar1
BACKGROUND
The Mini-CEX (Mini clinical examination exercise) is a work place based assessment
(WPBA) method used for the assessment of clinical skills. The present study
attempts to study the different perceptions of faculty members of clinical and
surgical departments in the medical college in using Mini-CEX as an assessment
method in undergraduate students.
METHODS
This was a descriptive study done at Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur
for a period of three months.30 faculty members from various departments were
requested to conduct the Mini-CEX sessions in their departments and these faculty
members were assessed by another Observer from the same department.
RESULTS
The sample size was thirty. The faculty members with different experience levels
were included in the study. They were also the observers mutually. The Mini-CEX
was conducted in the hospital premises. The location varied. The duration of the
Mini-CEX for a particular skill was noted in minutes. The mean in all 3 skills is
around 7.9 with a standard deviation of about 1.2.This shows that the Mini-CEX
duration is only about 6 to 8 minutes. The data reveals a mean of 5 minutes with
a standard deviation of 1.0 for the feedback session. So in effect the whole session
of Mini-CEX was over by about 11 to 13 minutes which is not a lengthy assessment
session. 5 point Likert scale was used to analyse the perceptions of the faculty
members in the role of examiner and observer as well. The results showed that
Mini-CEX is feasible in the medical college setting and can be used for the
formative assessment of undergraduate students.
CONCLUSIONS
Mini-CEX is well appreciated and valued by the examiner for assessment of
undergraduate students. Direct observation of medical trainees with actual
patients and Mini-CEX during busy clinical postings is feasible with good outcomes.
Mini-CEX can be used for the formative assessment of undergraduate students.
