They\u2019re stressful. They\u2019re tough. They\u2019re the OSCEs: Exams that train you \u2014 the medical student \u2014 to be the best doctor you can be.<\/p>\n
OSCE stands for objective structured clinical examination, and it\u2019s been around for decades, said Lisa Howley, PhD, MEd, senior director of transforming medical education at the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, DC. They can go by other names like clinical practice exams, depending on what your school calls them, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a critical part of medical education,\u201d Howley said.<\/p>\n
During these exams, you need to take what you\u2019ve learned in the classroom into a \u201creal-life\u201d yet simulated scenario. Most medical schools use people carefully trained to portray a patient with a specific health history, set of symptoms, or health complaints like chest or abdominal pain.<\/p>\n
These people are called simulated or standardized patients. Communicating with them clearly and with empathy and understanding is a key part of the assessment.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll take OSCEs throughout medical school, said Sheryl Pfeil, MD, medical director of the clinical skills center at Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus.<\/p>\n Usually in the first year, it\u2019s basic, like taking a medical history or learning how to best communicate and build rapport with patients. As you progress through training, it gets a little more sophisticated. Physical exams are added. By the time you are in clinical rotations, you\u2019ll be asked to use your clinical reasoning. That means you\u2019re putting everything together to come up with a list of potential diagnoses and a management plan.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are very much behavioral exams and can be unnerving because it\u2019s not the way (students) are typically used to being evaluated,\u201d Pfeil said.<\/p>\n They are meant to be as authentic, standardized, and as fair as possible, she said.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to know before you take you first OSCE:<\/p>\n They\u2019re Timed<\/strong>: You\u2019ll work through a series of stations where you\u2019ll interact with the \u201cpatients.\u201d You\u2019ll have a few minutes to read the instructions outside the room. You\u2019ll have a set amount of time with each simulated patient. That\u2019s usually anywhere from 5-20 minutes. Then, you\u2019ll move on to the next station.\u00a0<\/p>\n Every student taking the exam goes to each station and is evaluated using the same criteria.\u00a0<\/p>\n You\u2019ll Get Feedback<\/strong>. You may get feedback directly from the simulated patient and\/or a faculty member. Sometimes, the faculty member is behind one-way glass. But, more commonly the OSCEs are recorded, said Pfeil.<\/p>\n Take the opportunity to listen to and learn from the feedback. For instance, you may need to work on your communication skills \u2014 like speak slower or louder. Ask if you can watch your recorded encounters.<\/p>\n Formative Vs Summative<\/strong>. Formative exams are meant for you to learn from and don\u2019t count toward your grade. Your score on a summative OSCE is figured into your grade.<\/p>\n Pfeil and Howley agreed: Give yourself some grace. Nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually one of the great benefits of these simulated performance assessments is to provide the opportunity to make mistakes and to learn from them and move forward,\u201d Howley said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Business](\"https:\/\/img.medscapestatic.com\/vim\/live\/professional_assets\/medscape\/images\/thumbnail_library\/ht_250214_sheryl_pfeil_120x156.jpg\")
Business News OSCE 101<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Business News How To Crush Your OSCE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Before the Exam:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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On Exam Day:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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During the Exam:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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