The "new-normal" OSCE examination: Executing in the COVID-19 era

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant changes in educational strategies and assessment methods.
• Face-to-face Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) presented unique challenges for health professional training during the pandemic.
• Adapting to new "new normal" practices, including safety protocols, is crucial for post-COVID educational continuity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the challenges of conducting Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To provide guidance on planning and implementing valid, reliable, and feasible clinical skills assessments with safety measures.
• To ensure the wellbeing of all participants in health professional examinations.

Main Methods:

• This commentary synthesizes shared experiences from examination cell faculty and OSCE coordinators.
• It focuses on practical strategies for adapting OSCEs to incorporate COVID-19 safety precautions.
• The paper addresses planning and implementation considerations for objective, valid, feasible, and reliable assessments.

Main Results:

• Implementation of COVID-19 precautions during face-to-face examinations may become standard practice.
• Adapting OSCEs requires careful planning to maintain assessment integrity and participant safety.
• Shared experiences highlight the need for flexible and resilient examination strategies.

Conclusions:

• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) can be conducted safely and effectively during a pandemic by integrating necessary precautions.
• Planning for valid, feasible, and reliable clinical skills assessments must prioritize the wellbeing of students, examiners, and staff.
• The experiences gained during COVID-19 offer valuable lessons for future adaptations in medical education assessments.