Student attitudes towards the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and conventional methods of assessment

Medical student attitudes towards: (i) the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) as a method of clinical assessment; (ii) the OSCE conducted by the University of Cape Town Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; and (iii) the OSCE compared with conventional methods of assessment, were quantified. Three groups comprising 32, 25 and 32 4th-year M.B. Ch.B. students participated in the study by completing a questionnaire for the assessment of clinical competence in medical education during a feedback session after completing their end-of-block OSCE in obstetrics. Students displayed a positive attitude towards the OSCE as a method of assessment and the OSCE in which they participated, and preferred the OSCE as a method of clinical assessment. We conclude that the OSCE is an excellent alternative to the traditional end-of-block oral examinations.