Abstract

Direct observation of procedural skill (DOPS) is a work-based assessment method consisting of a supervisor observing a trainee conducting a procedural skill using structured procedural checklist and providing feedback to the trainee about their performance within an authentic workplace context. The general aim of this study was to introduce DOPS as a clinical skills  performance assessment for medical interns and to explore the perceptions and the levels of satisfaction among medical interns and their assessors in their surgery clinical attachments, at Debre Tabor University, Department of Surgery, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, 2023. The study was an action research that was conducted during surgery rotation for medical interns. Each student performed at least two procedures. Under the observation of two assessors using direct observation of procedural skills checklists designed for each procedure. Twelve medical interns were completed two procedures in one or each of the four checklists/procedures. Irrespective of the type of procedure, the DOPS performance improved significantly between the first and second assessments in all four procedures. The most common reasons why DOPS is not routinely undertaken were work overload/time constraints for assessors 8 (40%), lack of training about DOPS 5 (25%) and a combination of the two 4 (20%).

Keywords: Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS), Performance assessment, Medical internship, Skill assessment, Work-place based assessment