FAQ - What is an OSCE?

Answer

An OSCE is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination.  It is an assessment method used for examining various aspects of clinical competence e.g. history taking, data interpretation, examination skills, procedure skills and communication skills.  In order to test this wide range of skills the OSCE consists of a number of time limited activities (stations) that each student completes.  At a station simulated patients may be used (so, for example, a candidate may go through the motions of examining the abdomen) or anatomical models (for vaginal/rectal examination) or ECGs, x-rays, etc (to assess data interpretation skills).  

An examiner is present at each station to monitor and score performance, the examiner may also ask questions relating to the task.  The scoring is carried out according to pre-set criteria.  Using OSCEs increases the likelihood that variability in candidate scores can be attributed to the difference in competence of the students being tested by ensuring all students are examined using exactly the same things (same patients/same problems/same questions) and marked against explicit criteria (unlike traditional long and short case clinical exams).

Disclaimer: This FAQ was written by Dr Sarah Marshall and does not reflect an official endorsement by the HEA or any other organisation.  Any questions or queries should be sent to: enquiries@medev.ac.uk

Last updated: 01 July 2011