A Step By Step Guide
To Mastering the OSCEs
and Patient Encounters
The Systematic Approach
Dr Al Imari, MD
www.OSCEhome.com
Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 Medical authorities & faculties started to
implement the OSCE exams for clinical
and communication skills assessment of
medical students, clerks, interns,
residents, and graduates since the
1980s.
 It is a standardized method of clinical
evaluation that eliminates bias.
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 OSCE is a form of performance-based
testing used to measure candidates’
clinical competency.
 During an OSCE, candidates are
observed and evaluated as they go
through a series of stations in which they
interview, examine and treat
standardized patients (SP) who present
with some type of a medical problem.
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 “The OSCE is an approach to the
assessment of clinical competence in
which the components of competence
are assessed in a planned or structured
way with attention being paid to the
objectivity of the examination”.
Harden, 1988
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 “The OSCE examination tests a wide range of
skills thus greatly reducing the sampling error.
This very significantly improves the reliability of
the examination”
Harden, 1988.
 “The real power of this type of examination lies
in the ability of those responsible for teaching
and testing to examine their trainees with
imagination and forethought, in a reliable way,
in areas seldom or never tested before”.
Hart, 2001.
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 The curriculum tells the staff what to teach...
 The OSCEs tells the students what to learn !
 And that is the point….
 What OSCE candidates should learn?
 What candidates can do rather than what they
know.
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 The application of their knowledge rather
than the recall of knowledge.
 The ‘WHAT’ to ask and do.
 The ‘HOW’ they ask and do.
 The ‘WHEN’ they ask and do.
 How do they organize themselves.
 How do they communicate with patients.
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination
 What are OSCE examiners in medical schools
OSCE exams, residency exams, and national
OSCE exams are assessing candidates for?
 Sign up for further OSCE preparation info and
free report: “Turning competencies into
practice” By the American Medical Association
Council on Medical Education at
www.OSCEhome.com.
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The Systematic Approach to clinical
practice
 Around the same time, early 1980,
medical authorities started to endorse
the systematic approach to patient
encounters to assure a high level of
similar medical care to every patient.
 Every healthcare provider will deliver the
same Systematic Approach to any
patient complaint.
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The Systematic Approach to clinical
practice
 The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
is a training program for doctors and Advanced
Practice/Critical Care Paramedics in the
management of acute trauma cases, developed
by the American College of Surgeons in 1980.
 The program has been adopted worldwide in
over 40 countries; its goal is to teach a
simplified and standardized approach to trauma
patients. Originally designed for emergency
situations, ATLS is now widely accepted as the
standard of care for initial assessment and
treatment in trauma centers.
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The Systematic Approach to clinical
practice
 Similarly, Advanced cardiac life support or
(ACLS) was developed by American Heart
Association, and a similar one by European
Resuscitation Council.
 It refers to a set of clinical interventions for the
urgent treatment of cardiac arrest and other life
threatening medical emergencies, as well as
the knowledge and skills to deploy those
interventions.
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The Systematic Approach to clinical
practice
 Both ATLS and ACLS follow a step by step
systematic approach in which the healthcare
provider will follow the SAME way EVERY time
in clinical patient emergencies.
 It is focused, yet comprehensive.
 It assures that nothing will be missed
regardless of the provider knowledge, clinical
competency, stress or exhaustion.
 It is time efficient.
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The Systematic Approach to clinical
practice
 Similar systematic approaches were developed
for lab procedures and diagnostic medical
imaging.
 Screening blood tests implemented.
 Varies guidelines are issued and revised
periodically by health authorities.
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The Systematic Approach to The OSCEs
 OSCEhome developed a similar Step By Step
Systematic Approach to the OSCEs and patient
medical encounters.
 It is similar to ATLS & ACLS structure but for
history taking, physical examination, and
counseling for any patient complaint.
 It is focused, yet comprehensive.
 It is time efficient.
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The Systematic Approach to The OSCEs
 A Step By Step Guide To Mastering The
OSCE and Patient Clinical Encounters
integrates both clinical and
communication skills in one Systematic
Approach.
 Medical students, clerks, interns,
residents and graduates can manage
patient encounters as if they are on autopilot mode.
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The Systematic Approach to The OSCEs
 Furthermore, it integrate communication
skills and dealing with difficult patients.
 In addition o instructing you ‘WHAT’ to
do or ask, it also contains carefully
phrased questions to be asked in
sequence.. The ‘HOW’ and ‘When’.
 It assures all the differentials are
covered, even if you forgot or stressed
out.
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The Systematic Approach to The OSCEs
 This assures good organization of the
interview.
 It is time efficient by eliminating the need
to figuring out the ‘WHAT’, ‘HOW’, and
‘WHEN’ to ask or do.
 The pre-memorized clear question sets
minimize patient confusion and
interruptions.
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The Systematic Approach to The OSCEs
 Implementing it shows your competency
and organization skills.
 It assures patient satisfaction and
compliance leaving him with ‘a good
doctor’ impression.
 No cultural, language, or ethical
conflicts.
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A Step By Step Guide to The Mastering
The OSCEs and Patient Encounters
 Was developed by OSCEhome in 2004.
 Already in use by thousands of medical
students, clerks, interns, residents, and
graduates.
 Minimizes the needed time to master both
clinical skills and communication skills.
 Allows you to practice one system ONCE for all
your clinical evaluations and real life patient
encounters.
www.OSCEhome.com
A Step By Step Guide to The Mastering
The OSCEs and Patient Encounters
www.OSCEhome.com