Traditional versus Structural Viva Voce, a Better Tool of Oral Assessment in Biochemistry: An Educational Interventional Study

Background & Aims: An oral examination is an essential tool of assessment of depth of knowledge and the communication skill of
medical students. There are many shortcomings like examiner bias, improper time distribution, gender bias, and many more.
Therefore, in the present study we structured oral examination as an assessment tool for Phase -I Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of
Surgery (MBBS) students in Biochemistry, along with the examiner’s feedback to abate biases.
Materials & Methods: Structural viva voce (SVV) was implemented during 2nd formative assessment, in the Department of
Biochemistry. 150 participants (146 students & 4 faculties/ examiners) were contributed. Participants were sensitized and trained
about SVV. All the participants were simultaneously assessed with traditional and structured oral examination without intermixing.
Feedback form (based on 4-point Likert scale) via a Google form was collected for both types of the viva, from the participants..
Apposite statistical analysis was done.
Results: Analysis of the study depicted the optimistic response of the participant towards the SVV. Statistically significant
differences (p < 0.00001) were observed in the marks obtained, stress, time allotment, etc. Examiners also acknowledged that SVV
was a better way of taking the oral examination as it reduced the bias and brings uniformity of questions.
Conclusion: Although before implementing any new tool in assessment, it is necessary to develop the infrastructure accordingly,
sensitization and training of the participants and and preparation of the module prior to the examination, but the results of the current
study indicated that SVV should be tried in other subjects of medical education and with the majority of medical colleges of other
states.