Module 11: Clinical Evaluation

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

An Objective Structured Clinical Examination consists of 12 - 20 stations with standardized patients, clinical cases or clinical scenarios with mannequins. After each station, the examinee may write a patient note, answer questions or interpret data. Stations are usually 10 to 15 minutes each. They can be used to assess history and physical skills, communication skills, breadth and depth of knowledge, ability to develop differential diagnosis and treatment plans, and clinical judgment.

OSCEs have been widely used in medical schools and residency programs. Fourteen or more stations are recommended to give reliable results. They are expensive to develop and administer.