Feasibility and Acceptability of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (osce) for a Large Number of Candidates: Experience at a University Hospital

Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for a large number of medical students.

Methods: All medical students (291) who had completed the basic surgical course were examined by objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at the College of Medicine, Riyadh, for the first time. A 5-scale questionnaire was filled by the examiners at the end of the examination each day. Another questionnaire was filled by the students as a feedback.

Results: All students agreed that the organizational aspect of the examinations was smooth and the time for each station was adequate. 86% of the students agreed that the stations were within the content of the course, 82% agreed that the examination was fair and objective and 93% wanted this method to be followed in the assessment of third year medical students, instead of the traditional examination (written and single long case). Similar responses were received from the examiners who were involved in the exams.

Conclusion: OSCE is a practical and acceptable method for assessing medical students' basic surgical skills, even for a large number of candidates, if facilities are available in the examination center. Replacing written exams with OSCE depends on the design of stations to test knowledge adequately in scope and depth probably at problem solving level.