Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions

Research articles

Implementing low-cost 3D-printed brain coloring activities in neuroanatomy teaching for medical students in Singapore: a cross-sectional study: Jason Wen Yau Lee, Fernando Bello, Jai Prashanth Rao; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2026;23:5. Published online March 18, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2026.23.5

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
Three-dimensional (3D)–printed models have been increasingly used in medical education, but most studies have focused on satisfaction or outcomes following isolated learning activities. This study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of learning, engagement, usability, and learning strategies after completing a series of neuroanatomy-related coloring activities using a low-cost 3D-printed model.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved Year 1 medical students at Duke-NUS Medical School. Students participated in 3 structured coloring activities using a modular 3D-printed brain model during a neuroanatomy session. An anonymous survey was administered 1 week after the third activity to assess students’ perceived learning value, engagement (behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and agentic), usability, and learning strategies using Likert-scale items and open-ended questions.
Results
A total of 48 students completed the survey, and the instrument showed acceptable to high internal consistency. Students reported high perceived learning value, positive engagement across multiple domains during the coloring activity, and high usability of the model. Participation in the learning activities was associated with significantly higher behavioral and agentic engagement, perceived learning value, and greater use of learning strategies than non-participation. Overall, active manipulation and hands-on exploration were perceived as beneficial for learning.
Conclusion
Low-cost 3D-printed brain models may serve as valuable learning tools to complement existing anatomy teaching approaches when paired with well-designed learning activities. Students reported positive learning experiences and high engagement during the activities. These findings highlight the importance of sound pedagogical design and curriculum integration to maximize learning.

Leveraging feedback mechanisms to improve the quality of objective structured clinical examinations in Singapore: an exploratory action research study: Han Ting Jillian Yeo, Dujeepa Dasharatha Samarasekera, Michael Dean; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2025;22:28. Published online September 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2025.22.28

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
Variability in examiner scoring threatens the fairness and reliability of objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). While examiner standardization exists, there is currently no structured, psychometric-informed, individualized feedback mechanism for examiners. This study explored the feasibility and perceived value of such a mechanism using an action research approach to co-design and iteratively refine examiner feedback reports.
Methods
Two exploratory cycles were conducted between November 2023 and June 2024 with phase 4 OSCE examiners at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. In cycle 1, psychometric analyses of examiner scoring for a phase 4 OSCE informed the design of individualized reports, which were evaluated through interviews. Revisions were made to the format of the report and implemented in cycle 2, where examiner responses were again collected. Data were analyzed thematically, supported by reflective logs and field notes.
Results
Nine examiners participated in cycle 1 and 7 in cycle 2. In cycle 1, examiners highlighted challenges in interpreting complex terminology, leading to report refinements such as glossaries and visual graphs. In cycle 2, examiners demonstrated greater confidence in applying feedback, requested longitudinal reports, and shifted from initial resistance to reflective engagement. Across cycles, the reports improved credibility, neutrality, and examiner self-regulation.
Conclusion
This exploratory study suggests that psychometric-informed feedback reports can facilitate examiner reflection and transparency in OSCEs. While the findings highlight feasibility and examiner acceptance, longitudinal delivery of feedback, collection of quantitative outcome data, and larger samples are needed to establish whether such reports improve scoring consistency and assessment fairness.

Brief Report

Effectiveness of interprofessional education enhanced by live consultation observations for healthcare students and new professionals in Singapore: a retrospective cross-sectional study: Lynette Mei Lim Goh, Wai Leong Chiu, Sky Wei Chee Koh; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2025;22:21. Published online August 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2025.22.21

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Abstract Supplementary Material: This study aims to evaluate whether incorporating live consultation observations into interprofessional education (IPE) improves learning evaluation scores among healthcare professionals and students. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using evaluation data from AHP IPE sessions held from January 2020 to December 2023 across 7 primary care clinics in Singapore. Evaluation scores were compared between sessions with facilitated discussions only (n=667) and sessions with additional live consultation observations (n=501). Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with perfect evaluation scores. Sessions that included live consultations were significantly more likely to achieve perfect evaluation scores (odds ratio [OR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–2.22). Nursing/care coordinator and allied health professions (OR 2.07 and 1.76 respectively) were significantly more likely to give perfect scores compared to medical professions. Healthcare professionals were also more likely to give perfect scores than students (OR, 1.52; 95% CI,1.08–2.14), indicating enhanced perceived effectiveness. These findings support the use of experiential learning strategies to optimize interprofessional training outcomes.

Research article

Comparison of virtual and in-person simulations for sepsis and trauma resuscitation training in Singapore: a randomized controlled trial: Matthew Jian Wen Low, Gene Wai Han Chan, Zisheng Li, Yiwen Koh, Chi Loong Jen, Zi Yao Lee, Lenard Tai Win Cheng; J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2024;21:33. Published online November 18, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2024.21.33

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2 Web of Science
2 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Purpose
This study aimed to compare cognitive, non-cognitive, and overall learning outcomes for sepsis and trauma resuscitation skills in novices with virtual patient simulation (VPS) versus in-person simulation (IPS).
Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted on junior doctors in 1 emergency department from January to December 2022, comparing 70 minutes of VPS (n=19) versus IPS (n=21) in sepsis and trauma resuscitation. Using the nominal group technique, we created skills assessment checklists and determined Bloom’s taxonomy domains for each checklist item. Two blinded raters observed participants leading 1 sepsis and 1 trauma resuscitation simulation. Satisfaction was measured using the Student Satisfaction with Learning Scale (SSLS). The SSLS and checklist scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and 2-tailed t-test respectively.
Results
For sepsis, there was no significant difference between VPS and IPS in overall scores (2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.4 to 5.4; Cohen’s d=0.38), as well as in items that were cognitive (1.1; 95% CI, -1.5 to 3.7) and not only cognitive (0.9; 95% CI, -0.4 to 2.2). Likewise, for trauma, there was no significant difference in overall scores (-0.9; 95% CI, -4.1 to 2.3; Cohen’s d=0.19), as well as in items that were cognitive (-0.3; 95% CI, -2.8 to 2.1) and not only cognitive (-0.6; 95% CI, -2.4 to 1.3). The median SSLS scores were lower with VPS than with IPS (-3.0; 95% CI, -1.0 to -5.0).
Conclusion
For novices, there were no major differences in overall and non-cognitive learning outcomes for sepsis and trauma resuscitation between VPS and IPS. Learners were more satisfied with IPS than with VPS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05201950).

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Mapping educational scholarship in a mixed-financing health system: a scoping review of health professions education research in Singapore
May May Yeo, Aditee Narayan, Bernard C. Y. Tan, Melissa S. L. Ng, Hak Koon Tan, Deborah D. Navedo
BMC Medical Education.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Research progress on the application of virtual simulation in medical education
Xiwang Jiang, Haichao Ge, Qianyong Wang
Frontiers in Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

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