Impact of an In-Person Versus Web-Based Practice Standardized Patient Examination. Hauer et. al.

Background: Optimal methods of preparing students for highstakes standardized patient (SP) examinations are unknown.

Purposes: The purpose is to compare the impact of two formats of a formative SP examination (Web-based vs. in-person) on scores on a subsequent high-stakes SP examination and to compare students’ satisfaction with each formative examination format.

Methods: Clustered randomized trial comparing a Web-based module versus in-person formative SP examination. We compared scores on a subsequent high-stakes SP examination and satisfaction.

Results: Scores on the subsequent high-stakes SP examination did not differ between the two formative formats but were higher after the formative assessment than without ( p < .001). Satisfaction was higher with the in-person than Web-based formative assessment format (4.00 vs. 3.62 on a 5-point scale, p= .01).

Conclusions: Two formats of a formative SP examination led to equivalent improvement
in scores on a subsequent high-stakes examination. Students preferred an in-person formative examination to online but were satisfied with both.

Hauer, KE, Chou, CL, Souza, KH, Henry, D, Loeser, H, Burke, C, Mayfield, C, O’Sullivan, PO. Impact of an In-Person Versus Web-Based Practice Standardized Patient Examination on Student Performance on a Subsequent High-Stakes. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 21: 4, 284 — 290.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10401330903228307