Redesigning Advanced Life Support teaching and assessment using a constructive alignment approach

Advanced Life Support (ALS) is a crucial component of medical training. Previously, a single-person OSCE-Station (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) was used to assess these skills, focusing primarily on the team leader role and emphasizing theoretical knowledge. However, students demonstrated deficiencies in key algorithm-compliant practical skills, such as cardiac massage, mask ventilation and defibrillator use, and struggled to integrate into a team-based resuscitation approach. To address this, a constructive alignment approach was used to revise the course and offer a guideline-appropriate, three-person resuscitation model. Learning outcomes and assessment targets were aligned with the course activities to increase student engagement and increase desired skill attainment. In the summer semester 2023, students and lecturers were briefed on the new structure of the course and assessment, specific skills were highlighted, and a model video was provided. The OSCE format was adjusted to assess both practical and non-technical skills. In the new setup, each student was randomly assigned one of three roles and assessed using role-specific checklists with defined criteria, focusing on non-technical and practical abilities. Course activity included training and practice in the three-person resuscitation approach. A team OSCE (tOSCE) approach for assessment was used, with one student for each role being examined. Results indicated both subjective and objective markers of satisfaction in course activities and tOSCE results. A team-based OSCE station proves effective for teaching combined practical and non-technical competencies.