Very Short Answer Questions: The Answer to the Perfect Medical Assessment? [Letter]

Abstract

Imran Karim Janmohamed,1 Mohammed Haris Javed-Akhtar,2 Hamza El-Omar2 1University of Leeds, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Leeds, UK; 2Imperial College London, School of Medicine, London, UKCorrespondence: Imran Karim JanmohamedUniversity of Leeds, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9JT, UKTel [phone]Email [email protected] read with great interest the study by Sam et al regarding a novel method of assessment in pathology, Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQs).1 The reliability shown by this method to discriminate between students and potentially improve learning behaviours were fascinating. We appreciate the authors’ efforts in conducting this study; however, certain aspects need addressing.View the original paper by Sam and colleagues.

Keywords

• pathology
• teaching
• assessment
• very short answer questions
• medical students
• technology-enhanced learning