Primary school children in a large-scale OSCE: recipe for disaster or formula for success?

Many medical schools have moved to large end-of-year Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) in which it is difficult to involve children as patients. It is nevertheless important to assess student competencies in clinical examination of children.

We set up a partnership with a local primary school, where children aged 8-11 years have assisted with our OSCE annually from 2007 to 2012. Approximately 30 children attend each exam, and are distributed between 14 simultaneous stations, each part of a 20-station circuit. Approximately 280 candidates complete the same paediatric station (e.g. cardiovascular examination) in one morning.

A total of 160 children took part in the exams over this period, and of 129 (80.6%) who filled a questionnaire: 99.2% agreed that they 'had enjoyed taking part in the exam'; 100% 'thought it was a good experience'; and 96.1% 'thought that it was well organised'. Parent and teacher feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

We conclude that it is feasible to involve school children in a large-scale OSCE. A school - medical school partnership is mutually beneficial, improving assessment of important paediatric clinical skills, while providing a positive experience for children who participate.