An oral practical examination in emergency clinical surgery

A body of students were asked about their views regarding an oral practical examination in clinical surgery that had been in practice for over 12 years. This is an examination with the planned objective to test problem-solving abilities and professional attitudes in emergency surgery. Verbal emergency simulation aided by appropriate pathological specimens, surgical instruments and X-rays are put forward by the examiners, and the candidate is asked to respond. One hundred and ninety-four students returned their questionnaire out of a total of 196 students (99% response rate). Candidates who were satisfied with their answers in the examination numbered 127 (65%), while 67 candidates were dissatisfied (35%). Reasons for dissatisfaction were cited as difficult and complex emergency simulation questions, expressed by 44 candidates (23%), and anxiety generated by confrontation of the examiners, expressed by 23 candidates (12%). One hundred and thirteen students (58%) thought a change in the format of the examination was not needed, while 47 students (24%) suggested a change mostly towards standardization of the examination. Emergency clinical surgery is an important area of the surgical curriculum that needs to be assessed properly. A more standardized version of this oral practical examination could perhaps provide a useful tool of assessment.