Phase 2B & Phase 4 Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Students studying in Phases 2B/4 are assessed in a number of ways during their attachments, and in addition, are required to pass both written and clinical (OSCE) examinations before progressing to the next stage in their training/taking up an F1 post.
The OSCE Blueprinting is co-ordinated by the Phase Director @ Sheffield Medical School and approved by the appropriate Phase Committee. It is overseen the Curriculum Assessment Group and critically analysed by an external examiner.
The OSCE Blueprinting is co-ordinated by the Phase Director @ Sheffield Medical School and approved by the appropriate Phase Committee. It is overseen the Curriculum Assessment Group and critically analysed by an external examiner.
Phase 2B OSCE:
Content:
15 x 8 minute stations arranged in circuits, based on the following:
Timing: Held in early November (Re-sits in December).
Content:
15 x 8 minute stations arranged in circuits, based on the following:
- 6 x Physical examination stations. The patients may be real patients with abnormal physical signs (e.g. atrial fibrillation, goitre) or normal volunteers.
- 4 x focussed history-taking stations with simulated patients.
- 1 x linked history station (2 x 8 minutes with a single examiner); 8 minutes to take a full history including a systematic enquiry, taking notes whilst doing so, then a further 8 minutes to present the history to the examiner, to give a differential diagnosis and to answer questions on investigations and management.
- 1 x communications skills: holistic care.
- 1 x communication skills: assessment of chronic disease control.
- 1 x communication skills: risk assessment station.
Timing: Held in early November (Re-sits in December).
Phase 4 OSCE:
Content:
12 clinical stations with scenarios relevant to a newly qualified F1 which draw from knowledge and skills acquired in Phases 1 – 4 of the undergraduate curriculum.
Simulated patients are extensively utilised in this examination but where possible real patients are utilised for stations involving physical examinations.
Timing: Held in April (Re-sits in June).
Content:
12 clinical stations with scenarios relevant to a newly qualified F1 which draw from knowledge and skills acquired in Phases 1 – 4 of the undergraduate curriculum.
- 6 x focussed history taking
- 6 x focussed clinical examination
Simulated patients are extensively utilised in this examination but where possible real patients are utilised for stations involving physical examinations.
Timing: Held in April (Re-sits in June).
Interested in Becoming an Examiner at the Phase 2B/Phase 4 OSCEs?
You will need to attend training in the form of a 3.5 hour OSCE Workshop. These are organised by the Medical School, and normally take place around September to October and February to March; the Undergraduate Office will advertise these events on behalf of the Medical School). After attending the Workshop, your name will be added to the Examiner Database held by the Medical School, and you will receive formal invitations from Sheffield, to examine at the OSCEs when the exam preparations begin.
After approximately 3 years, you will be invited to attend a 1.5 hour Refresher OSCE Workshop, to maintain your name on the database
You will need to attend training in the form of a 3.5 hour OSCE Workshop. These are organised by the Medical School, and normally take place around September to October and February to March; the Undergraduate Office will advertise these events on behalf of the Medical School). After attending the Workshop, your name will be added to the Examiner Database held by the Medical School, and you will receive formal invitations from Sheffield, to examine at the OSCEs when the exam preparations begin.
After approximately 3 years, you will be invited to attend a 1.5 hour Refresher OSCE Workshop, to maintain your name on the database
Revision OSCEs held in Rotherham
Where feasible, the Undergraduate office in conjunction with Clinical Skills will organise a Revision/Mock OSCE for the Phase 2B & 4 students during their Clinical Attachments. These will mirror as near as possible the real exam, with similar examiner scoring sheets, but we normally add a few minutes onto the end of each station, to allow the examiner to give instant feedback to the student.
Where feasible, the Undergraduate office in conjunction with Clinical Skills will organise a Revision/Mock OSCE for the Phase 2B & 4 students during their Clinical Attachments. These will mirror as near as possible the real exam, with similar examiner scoring sheets, but we normally add a few minutes onto the end of each station, to allow the examiner to give instant feedback to the student.
