Validity and Reliability of Checklists Used for Objective Structured Clinical Examination: Piloting Modified Tools.

Abstract

Background: Developing tools for evaluating students' performance is one of the important tasks required from faculties. The validity and reliability of tools increase its significance and the objectivity of using these tools in the field of research, as well strengthen the results.

Aim: Was to test validity and reliability of the selected checklists of the objective structured clinical examination which assess the Medical-Surgical Nursing competencies.

Design: Test-retest, Six Sigma was utilized to answer the research questions.

Research questions: 1-Are the ten selected checklists valid? 2-Are the ten selected checklists reliable?

Sample: Ten checklists were selected out of the required competencies of Medical-Surgical Nursing course during the academic year of (2010-2011 & 2011-2012).

Results: The results of the tested checklists revealed that the selected checklists are valid while the reliable checklists were fluid balance, (intramuscular, intravenous) injections, surgical scrub, gloving, wound dressing and wound drain. However subcutaneous injection and withdrawal of drugs from a vial were not reliable. While the surgical gown checklist was questionable.

Conclusion: Seven out of the tested ten checklists were reliable while all the checklists were valid.

Recommendation: Revise and modify the unreliable checklists and retest its reliability. Go through studying validity and reliability of other competencies in the Medical-Surgical Nursing field.  OSCE checklists are strongly suggested as reliable and valid assessment of the growing number of nursing students.

Key words: OSCE, validity, reliability, clinical assessment.