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Assessment of specialist registrars in rheumatology: experience of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

OBJECTIVES
Assessment of higher medical trainees (specialist registrars) in rheumatology is an important challenge facing the rheumatology community, particularly with the advent of the implemention of the changes recommended by the Calman Report in the UK. So far there has been remarkably little work in this area. Our aim was to implement and evaluate an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for rheumatology specialist registrars (SpRs).


METHODS
Twelve SpRs completed a 12-station OSCE designed to assess core rheumatological clinical skills. The OSCE was designed and manned by consultant members of the West Midlands Rheumatology Services and Training Committee. The OSCE was evaluated by the SpRs, the participating consultant supervisors and the patients, by means of questionnaires.


RESULTS
We present the details of the OSCE stations and the scores for each station. In terms of evaluation, 11 out of 12 SpRs felt that it was a very worthwhile exercise. Participating patients found it interesting, if tiring. All would be happy to participate in such an examination again. All participating consultants found it interesting and useful in terms of establishing the level of competence among trainees.


CONCLUSION
The OSCE represents one practical approach to assessing clinical skills in rheumatology SpRs. It has potential in both formative and summative assessment. The broader issues around the assessment of rheumatology trainees are discussed.