Oral Examinations as an Alternative to Written Exams in Health Sciences Education: A Targeted Response to AI Challenges

Abstract

As higher education continues to adapt to rapid technological advancements—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other forms of synthetic intelligence—alongside the pedagogical challenges introduced by remote instruction, there is a growing need to reassess specific types of high-stakes examinations. This perspective highlights the renewed relevance of oral examinations in the health sciences, where future professionals must not only demonstrate mastery of complex content, but also communicate it clearly, confidently, and in real time. Rather than reimagining all assessments, this article argues for oral exams as a targeted alternative to traditional take-home or online written exams, which are increasingly vulnerable to generative AI-driven shortcuts. Given the need for health professionals to respond quickly and effectively in patient care and employer communication, oral exams provide both a more authentic measure of learning and valuable preparation for the communication demands of contemporary healthcare settings.