OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION (OSCE) AS A TOOL OF CONDUCTING EXAMINATION

Abstract

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) concept was given by R.M Harden initially and it is a superior tool of
examination to conventional system in terms of reliability and validity. It is now implemented in many medical schools
across the world and has become the examination of choice. It consists of timed stations on which different clinical skills
of a candidate is evaluated. OSCE consists of static, interactive and rest stations, their number depend on the strength
of the examinees. On static station, various academic material as mentioned in syllabus is displayed which includes
Chest X-rays, CT scans, data interpretation, spot diagnosis, clinical scenarios, instruments identification etc and it does
not need any examiner. Interactive stations can have either real or simulated patient and examiners are provided with
an answer key checklist or global rating scale for marking. It is a very demanding way of examination in terms of time,
energy and expenses. Despite limitations, it is a worthy, fairer and unbiased examination system.