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Neurology exit examination system in India: A survey of examiners' perceptions and recommendations
GR K Sarma1, Saji K John1, Thomas Mathew1, Venkatesh Aiyagari2, Sivaraman Nair3, Gareth J Parry1, Satish Khadilkar4, Parthasarathy Satishchandra5
1 Department of Neurology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Sarjapura Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Neurological Surgery and Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, USA
3 Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, United Kingdom
4 Department of Neurology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
5 Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
G R K Sarma
Professor, Department of Neurology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Sarjapura Road, Bengaluru - 560 034, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_666_21
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Background: The traditional Neurology exit examination in India has remained unchanged over the last few decades. In developed countries, objective evaluation methods have replaced the traditional ones. A need for such methods has not been explored in India. Objective: We aimed to study the perceptions and key recommendations of Neurology examiners on the existing examination pattern. Material and Methods: We conducted an online survey of examiners perceptions and recommendations using a set of 10 multiple-choice questions and an open-ended question. Results: 46 examiners provided completed responses suitable for analysis. Nearly equal proportions (30%) of the examiners had 10 years, 10–25 years and >25 years' experience. 92% were not satisfied with current system, 95% did not find adequate time for correction of theory scripts, 90% felt that theory questions were random, and 95% had legibility issues. 84% felt that the practical exams do not test true learning, 98% felt the examination stress impairs the performance and 85% felt that there are no objective criteria to pass the candidate. 83% felt the current system-needed changes. The key suggestions provided by the examiners to improve the system included objective assessments like MCQ, OSCE, OSLER and DOPS, inclusion of larger number of short answer type questions and periodic internal assessments of the candidates. Conclusions: A vast majority of examiners favoured changes to the current examination system and provided key recommendations. A larger study is needed to extrapolate these findings to the rest of India.
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