Pandemic Challenge Accepted: The Philippine Board of Ophthalmology Shifts to Online Administration of its Certifying Examinations

Abstract

The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of events that resulted in the disruption of the delivery of various certifying examinations including that which was given by the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology (PBO). This paper shares the experience of the PBO using digital technology in administering its first ever online delivery of its certifying examinations. Online platform requirements used for delivering the examination are enumerated, online proctoring described, as well as the conduct of oral panel examinations and skills evaluation via video submission. Challenges encountered, feedback reported by both examinee and examiner, lessons learned from this endeavor, and future directions are discussed.