The Pathway MCQ: a method for teaching and testing deeper knowledge

Abstract

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to provide a simple, efficient and reliable method of teaching and examining deeper knowledge. The Pathway MCQ is an extension of the extended matched choice question that links individual answers to describe steps in a pathway. This can involve any clinical discipline or combination of disciplines. The Pathway MCQ has been used for teaching and examination in the first year of the Graduate Medical Course at the University of Queensland. The students have found the method useful and challenging. The marks of the Pathway MCQs correlate with those of other written assessments. The Pathway MCQ is easy to administer but needs a computer for marking. It is a simple way of testing deeper knowledge in medicine. Sample Pathway MCQs and a computer program to automate marking are available.