Give me a break! Addressing observed structured clinical exam anxiety

Medical students experience high rates of anxiety; frequent examinations are one contributing source. Students may perceive the observed structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) as particularly stressful. Strategies to reduce anxiety during OSCEs have not been described.

We sought to implement and evaluate a simple, in-the-moment intervention aimed at reducing students' OSCE-related anxiety by making stress-reducing activities available during break stations during a summative pediatric OSCE.

Three break stations were included in an end-of-rotation, summative OSCE. Students were block-randomized to either control group with standard break stations, or intervention group with stress-reducing activities available in the break room. All participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the OSCE, and a short questionnaire after OSCE completion.

Third-year medical students have high levels of stress before and after OSCEs. More than half of students in the intervention group felt their anxiety improved with activities. While the inclusion of stress-reducing activities in break stations did not impact exam performance, some students subjectively felt their performance improved. If OSCE break stations are logistically required, they can be employed to allow students to briefly relax during a high-stress exam without negatively impacting performance.

Next steps include exploration of opportunities for integration of stress-reducing activities during OSCEs with other learner groups, and identification of other stress-inducing aspects of medical training to provide similar opportunities.