Objective Structured Clinical Examination
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An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a modern[1] type of examination often used in medicine to test skills such as communication, clinical examination, medical procedures, prescribing and interpretation of results.
It has also been used to assess clinical skills performance in non medical prescribers as well as nursing.[1]
It normally consists of several short (5-10 minute) stations and each is examined on a one-to-one basis with either real or simulated patients (actors). It is considered to be an improvement over traditional examination methods because the stations can be standardised enabling fairer peer comparison and complex procedures can be assessed without endangering patients health.
One of the way OSCE's are made objective is to have a detailed mark scheme and standard set of questions. For example a station concerning the demonstration to a simulated patient on how to use a Metered dose inhaler [MDI] the mark scheme would mark specific points. (i.e. candidate explains to patient the need for a seal around the mouthpiece etc.)
There are however criticisms that the OSCE stations can never be truly standardised and objective in the same way a written MCQ can. It has been known for different examiners to afford more assistance and for different marking criteria to be applied - especially where different Base Hospital sites are involved.
Finally - it is not uncommon at certain institutions for members of teaching staff known to students and vice versa to asses students. This need not affect the integrity of the examination process although there is a deviation from anonymous marking.
Preparation
Preparing for OSCEs is very different to preparing for a theory examination. What is being tested is skills rather than pure theoretical knowledge.
It is essential to learn correct clinical methods and then practice repeatedly until one perfects the methods.
Marks are awarded for each step in the method hence it is essential to dissect the method into its individual steps, learn the steps and then learn to perform the steps in a sequence.
For training on various OSCE skills look at www.osceskills.com or www.oscetube.com also Wikiversity's OSCE review.
References
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
