Thursday, August 24, 2006

O.S.C.E.

The Objective Structured Clinical Exam (O.S.C.E.) is a performance-based exam. During the exam, medical students are observed and evaluated as they go through a series of stations where they interview, examine, and counsel real/simulated patients presenting with some type of problem.

Kok Fang examining a simulated patient (Siu Min).

An O.S.C.E. is:
objective, because examiners use a checklist for evaluating the trainees;
structured, because every candidate sees the same problem and performs the same tasks in the same time frame;
clinical, because the tasks are representative of those faced in real clinical situations; and
an examination.

Kok Fang palpating Siu Min's tummy. He was "pregnant".

What is the purpose of the O.S.C.E.?
• Provide feedback on performance
• Evaluate basic clinical skills
• Measure minimal competencies


This is Daniel. He has arcus senilis.

O.S.C.E. is part of our first professional exam, slotted into our third exam paper. Successful completion of the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) is required in order to secure a pass. That being said, O.S.C.E. therefore is the most crucial part of our fnal exam.


Daniel's mouth being examined. He has halitosis too.

Failing the exam means we would have to repeat one whole semester for a duration and five months, and make our parents RM30,000.00
poorer. So what do we do to ensure ourselves at least a pass for our final exam?

Daniel's enlarged tonsils - the cause of his sleep apnoea syndrome.

We practice among ourselves during the study break, and the pictures here are what that is all about.

"Dr" Kok Fang is counselling a "pregnant mother"

We had a total of 16 O.S.C.E. stations for our exam; 8 long stations (10mins each) and 8 short stations (5mins each). Besides the majority local (internal) examiners, we also have external examiners coming from Hong Kong and Singapore, which makes the already scary O.S.C.E. much scarier.

"Dr" Kok Fang scolding a stubborn patient for not taking the prescribed tuberculosis medicine.

Daniel flirting with "Dr" Kok Fang - an ethical issue which is occasionally tested.

Daniel says: "My balls itch. Could you scratch 'em for me doc?"

Doc: "My pleasure!"

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