Online viva voce as a formative assessment method in forensic medicine during COVID-19 pandemic

Conducting online classes and assessment during the COVID‑19 pandemic is not without challenges. The world of medical education is adapting online training and assessment because of COVID‑19 pandemic restrictions. The present study was conducted to assess the students’ perception regarding the process, difficulties encountered and perceived effectiveness of online assessment.

Online viva‑voce (theory and visual based) was conducted in a government medical college in Karwar, Karnataka, India using videoconferencing application (Google Meet) to 149 second MBBS students as a formative assessment in 2020 over 3 months. Ten students per day joined Google Meet, 10 questions were asked to each student and assessed using a tutor marking system (on‑spot). A feedback questionnaire (Google Form) was administered to students who attended online Viva‑Voce. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Student’s t‑test).

Out of 149 students, 132 participated and responded to a feedback questionnaire. Majority of the participants (91%) agreed that questions covered all topics kept for viva, 82% of them felt it would be helpful for performance in final examinations. Thirty percent of students faced network issues at their places, 45% felt nervous while facing viva in the presence of other students and 35% of participants preferred online methods over traditional viva voce. Online viva voce can be transparent (90%) and less biased (88%) if done in structured format.

Online viva‑voce may become relevant and effective in medical education assessment with transparent marking system for students’ performance.