Project Objectives

• To develop a windows-based interactive template (Wizards) with a searchable archive of option lists organized by basic and clinical science themes linking disciplines, topics and themes.
• To train students and teachers on using the wizard template to compose EMQs
• To evaluate student learning, writing efficiency and overall cost-effectiveness.

Description of process and deliverables

The project developed a Windows-based item writing wizards for PCs and for Intranets with disciplines, topics, themes, option sets and lead-in questions and user guides. EMQs can now incorporate audio and video, and be uploaded onto the IDEAL Consortium’s (http://www.idealmed.org/ ) formative item banks. IDEAL financially contributed to above-mentioned developments.

In 2007/08, 4 system panels and some basic medical sciences (Years 1 to 3) and in Paediatrics (Year 4) and in Surgery (Year 5) used EMQs in either the formative or summative bank or both.

Evaluation of outcomes

CUHK’s students and teachers developed 1011 EMQs. Item writing errors are reduced; the average composition time for an item is reduced by approximately 50%. Impact studies were conducted. Feedback from students confirmed effectiveness of formative R-type items.

Dissemination of results & deliverables

The wizards are available to all teachers in IDEAL and demonstrated at the 13th Ottawa International Conference on Clinical Competence. Workshops were held in two overseas medical schools.