VIVA VOCE IN POSTGRADUATE SURGICAL EXAMINATIONS IN ANGLOPHONE WEST AFRICA
BODE CO.
UGWU BT*.
DONKOR P**.
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
Department of Surgery,
College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
*Department of Surgery,
Jos University Teaching Hospital,
Jos, Nigeria.
**Department of Surgery,
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana.
Correspondence:
BODE CO
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
Department of Surgery
College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria
cobode@yahoo.com
Grant support: None
Abstract
The Viva Voce is a form of assessment dating back to antiquity. It is widely used by the English-speaking West African Postgraduate Medical Colleges for intermediate and exit level examinations. Although it is still popular till the present day, there is a growing awareness of its limitation as an examination method. This paper explores the origin, format, advantages and limitations of oral examinations in postgraduate surgical assessment and proffers practical guidelines on its usage.
Keywords: Viva Voce, Oral Examination, Surgical Postgraduate Assessment, Relevant.