Introduction of Directly Observed Procedural Skills (DOPS) as a Part of Competency-Based Medical Education in Otorhinolaryngology

The Directly Observed Procedural/Practical Skill (DOPS) is a relatively new but reliable tool for formative assessment. The lack of desired awareness regarding DOPS among the Otorhinolayngologists of India made us to conduct this study. The aim of the study was introduction of DOPS in Oto-rhino-laryngology Department. The objectives of the study were: (1) To prepare lists of Oto-rhino-laryngology procedures for DOPS, (2) To conduct Orientation program of DOPS for the participants, (3) To prepare a structured list of items for the rating scale, (4) To facilitate and conduct DOPS encounters of different Oto-rhino-laryngology procedures. The study was conducted in a tertiary care medical college hospital from April 2018 to August 2018. Thirty-three trainees and 5 trainers participated. The 421 DOPS encounters involved 41 Oto-rhino-laryngology procedures. For checking the association between average time and clinical settings and Oto-rhino-laryngology procedures and DOPS encounters, the nonparametric test χ² test was employed. Male trainees (63.63%) outnumbered female trainees. Mostly trainees (91%) were aged 22–25 years. Approximately half (49%) of the Oto-rhino-laryngology procedures (20/41) and 9/10th (86.22%) of DOPS encounters (363/421) were conducted in OPD. The average time taken to complete the E.N.T. procedures and DOPS encounters was 15 min or less in the majority (91% and 98%) of the Oto-rhino-laryngology procedures (38/41) and DOPS encounters (414/421). DOPS was introduced as a learning tool in the Oto-rhino-laryngology Department of our medical college. For assessing the “competency level” of trainees for E.N.T. procedures, DOPS is a high quality instrument as it tests the candidate at the “does” level.