Health-Professions Education / Health-Professions Education (with Research) MSc/MSc (Research)/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
Assessment in Health Professions MED5386
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Summer
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
In this course, students will learn about various forms of assessment and will be able to select the most appropriate form(s) of assessment to measure acquisition or application of knowledge, skills and/or attitudes relevant to a health professions context. Students will also learn about governance issues in relation to assessment, including standard-setting, grading and quality assurance measures.
Timetable
This course is made up of lectures and tutorials taking place over summer semester.
Excluded Courses
MED5170
Co-requisites
none
Assessment
50%: Micro-reflection: A small reflective piece using alternate formats (short essays, video presentations, audio podcasts) 500-750 words or approx. 3-5 mins. (ILO 5)
50%: Set exercise: Group creation of online resource, typically a Wiki. 1200-1600 words, 5 minutes maximum integrated audio/visual component (e.g. embedded presentation).
The assessment comprises three components:
■ Summative Wiki assessed by two members of staff
■ Peer-assessment of formative Wiki by other groups
■ Staff assessment of feedback provided to other groups
Students will work collaboratively; however, individual marks will be derived by scaling the group mark using peer-evaluation of contribution.
(ILO1, 2, 3 and 4)
Course Aims
This course aims to give students the opportunity to:
1. Develop their knowledge and understanding of various strategies and methods of assessment;
2. Select the most appropriate tools to assess acquisition and application of knowledge, skills and/or attitudes relevant to the health professions context;
3. Apply procedures used for standard-setting;
4. Develop their knowledge and understanding of governance issues within assessment, including grading, the use of marking criteria, and the external examiner system.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Appraise a range of assessment strategies used to assess the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of health professionals, detailing purpose, advantages & disadvantages.
2. Analyse the role and influence of relevant regulatory bodies in shaping the assessment of students within health professions curricula.
3. Evaluate the impact of educational and institutional assessment policies on design and delivery of health professions education.
4. Critique assessment-related governance mechanisms in health professions education.
5. Appraise and develop own assessment practice and identify areas for enhancement.