Smart Mobile Application Based Portfolio; Is It Feasible and Convenient For Assessment?

Abstract

Background: Portfolios are an important widely used tool for evaluating medical students’ progression in clinical competence and professionalism. Smart Mobile application-based portfolio was developed because technology is now playing a crucial part in today’s learning style and aids both students and instructors in the process of learning, revision, assessment and reflection. The beta-test application is available on both IOS and android phones for use by medical students rotating through ophthalmology departments.

Methods: 7 attending ophthalmologists and 110 medical students rotating in the ophthalmology department from Thammasat University, Chulalongkorn University and Chumphon hospital were enrolled in this study. All participants used the application from the first to the final day of their ophthalmology clinical rotation. On the final day of their rotation, an evaluation form was completed by all participants regarding their feedback about the application.

Results: A majority of the students and attending ophthalmologists completely agree that the essential skills the students need to learn are listed in the application (54%), the medical skills listed were actually trained (59%), the attending doctor’s advice is helpful for personal development (62%), the application is easy to use (60%), attending doctors and students can record what they have learned (47%), and the application touchscreen is easy to use (58%). Most of the students and attending ophthalmologists somewhat agree that the application is flexible for the students (40%), the students and attending doctors will use the application regularly (43%), and the medical skills guide and recommendation are useful in practice (42%).

Conclusion: Smart Mobile application-based portfolio is feasible and convenient for assessment. However, the application still needs further development to meet the users’ expectation.