Summative objective structured clinical examination as a reference of learners’ need before entering their internship

Abstract

Background/purpose Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) has found increasingly wide use in the education of clinical dentistry in recent years. The objectives of this study were to find the predictability of OSCE in representing a student's actual ability in a clinical environment and to provide instructors with better ideas to guide an individual student in a certain field. Materials and methods Thirty-one dentistry students’ qualification OSCE scores were obtained after the conclusion of their dental clerkship in December 2014. The OSCE scores were compared with the various scores given by instructors from different departments during their internship a year later. The correlation was investigated between these two scores. Results The scores of the first station of OSCE—explaining a treatment plan for the restoration of a missing tooth—were correlated with the scores of prosthodontics in the internship. The scores of the fourth station of OSCE—explaining to a mother regarding the obtainment of a radiograph of her child's tooth—were correlated with the scores of orthodontics. In addition, the total score of the six OSCE stations was correlated with the scores of orthodontics, oral surgery, and pediatric dentistry during dental internship. Conclusion The results of clerkship qualification OSCE could provide instructors with insights into the needs of the students before their entering internship.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in Periodontology with Simulated Patient: The Most Realistic Approach to Clinical Practice in Dentistry

“…In fact, the OSCE could be especially used for the dental students' training and to evaluate their skills before starting internships in a clinical environment [1]. There are studies in which the OSCE has been used as a predictive method to learn about the ability of the students in a clinical environment, since these situations cannot be assessed through traditional written tests [11,17]. In addition, by observing the students during the OSCE, the instructor will obtain information on how to guide them in the skills that are taught during their university education, and according to the results obtained from the test, the teachers can analyse and assess any weak areas and develop plans to improve upon them [11,17].…”

“…The OSCE has been used worldwide in medical education for more than 40 years. Recently, it has begun to be introduced in dental schools, where it remains a less frequently used test compared to the frequency of its use in other health sciences degrees [10,11].…”

Narrative medicine as a good tool for patient-dentist discourse

“…The competency-based education and training usually emphasizes the assessment of clinical competence and skill via summative objective structured clinical examination. 1 , 2 , 5 Recently, holistic healthcare, a form of patient-centered medical service, is the essential core value emphasized in the development of dentist. Exception of good clinical skills, patient-dentist discourse with the appropriate attitude and good communication skills are also very crucial.…”