Student's perception of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)‎ in surgery at Basrah College of Medicine

Abstract EN

The assessment method of OSCE gains popularity in most medical schools globally.

The Department of Surgery in Basrah Medical College introduces this assessment format since 2010.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate student's perception about preference of this test and acceptability of standardized patients.

A survey of successive batches of medical students (3 batches of six year and 4 batches of fourth year), who had been examined with Objective Structured Clinical Examination, was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire.

Data were analyzed.

The study was conducted in the academic year 2011-2012. Two hundred and twenty one students completed the questionnaire, 100 students in the 6th year and 121 students in the 4th year.

Eighty nine (40.3 %) of the all respondents reported that OSCE was an easier examination than the traditional one and 106 (48 %) perceived that the duration of station was adequate.

Moreover, 141 (63.8 %) preferred to have the traditional examination in addition to the OSCE.

There was clear difference in opinion regarding the use of standardized patients (PSs) between 4th year students as 79 (65.3 %) dislike it while 58 (58 %) in the 6th year students accept the use of such patients.

In conclusion, the overall student's evaluation of OSCE was encouraging, as the majority of participated students preferred this examination and at the same time they want to keep the traditional one.

The benefit of this survey can be gained if timely feedback is offered on the performance of the candidates after applying the standards of OSCE.