Mock OSCEs Improve Medical Students’ Confidence and Reduce Anxiety Related to Summative Examinations

Abstract

Objectives: Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are a commonly used method of assessing clinical competence at all levels. Students commonly regard OSCEs as the most stressful component of examinations and they are associated with high levels of anxiety. Methods: A simulated mock OSCE was designed by a group of junior doctors at a district general hospital. Candidates were from a variety of UK medical schools in the final year of their medical degree program. A prospective study was undertaken with candidates anonymously surveyed before and after the mock OSCE. A Numeric Rating Scale of 1-10 was used to assess candidates' confidence and anxiety related to upcoming summative examinations. Qualitative analysis was also undertaken via written feedback. Results: There are 57 students took part in the mock OSCE over two years. Only 54 (95%) opted to take part in the study and provide feedback. Mean confidence level significantly increased from 6.26 pre to 7.76 post mock OSCE (1.41 point [12%] increase, P-value < 0.001). Mean anxiety level significantly reduced from 8.70 pre to 7.15 post (1.56 point reduction [12%], p-value < 0.001). There are 100% of students rated the mock OSCE as either 'Excellent' (n = 50) or 'Good' (n = 4). Seventy percent of candidates felt that examination stations were the most useful with 37% of candidates specifically mentioning the benefit of using real patients. Conclusions: OSCEs remain a beneficial tool for learning, revision and assessment. The present study demonstrates that mock OSCEs significantly improve medical student confidence and significantly reduce anxiety related summative examinations.

A new approach to OSCE preparation - PrOSCEs

“…Therefore, the majority of healthcare students will have completed just a small number of simulated OSCE stations before taking the real exam. This, combined with the often high-stakes nature of summative OSCEs, helps explain why these exams are recognised to be a source of anxiety and stress [4]. Indeed, a number of studies have found that practising OSCEs can lead to lower levels of anxiety and improved confidence [4–6].…”

Assessment Tools Preferred by the Undergraduate Clinical Medical Students: A Study in National Defense University of Malaysia

“…OSCEs remain a beneficial tool for learning, revision and widely used to assess the clinical performance of medical students in almost all medical students in the world. Robinson et al [17] from UK conducted simulated mock OSCE for final year medical students over a period of two years and demonstrated that they significantly improve medical student confidence and significantly reduce anxiety related summative examinations.…”

Twelve Tips to Successfully Conducting Virtual Clinical Assessment Using Zoom&trade; Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Sensitization and orientation of the entire team with necessary documents and guiding forms are mandatory prerequisite for mock exams (Robinson 2017). Mock exams should be conducted in two phases, one exclusively for faculty and the other for students and faculty together.…”