And the OSCE (pronounced Aw-Skee) goes to…………..Potoski.

How’s that for a clever rhyme?! Did I actually win an award – no. Did I actually participate in the OSCE process – yes. Allow me to explain in clinical terms.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is an assessment method that is geared to assess competencies related to communication, clinical reasoning, clinical examination, performance of procedures, analytic skills, and other health-related competencies. An OSCE usually comprises a circuit of short (5–10 minute) stations, where each student is examined by one or two examiner(s) on either real or standardized patients (trained actors).

• OSCEs measures several dimensions of clinical competence: history-taking, physical examination, interpersonal/communication skills, professionalism, problem-solving, decision-making, management, documentation, and technical skills
• 6-16 timed stations (10 minutes each) through which students rotate and physician examiners assess performance and skills in the relevant competency domains
• Focuses on competencies in the Medical Expert, Communicator, and Professional roles
• 3 OSCEs total: End of Y1, end of Y2, and end of Y3 / early Y4

Now let me explain in what’s-up-doc layman’s terms:

Elaine is the Clinical Education Curriculum and Assessment Program Manager for Years 3 & 4 at the UBC Faculty of Medicine Southern Medical Program. Her 4^th-year students were center stage and being auditioned in all manners of health-related core competencies.

On the first Saturday of December, I was one of the aforementioned standardized patients. While not a trained Shakespearean actor, I did have one pre-determined body ailment and one line to deliver. No cue cards needed.

While lying supine on a hospital bed in a simulated physician’s office, there I was in a blue hospital gown. Not my best look with hairy legs sticking out. A practicing doctor was also in the room and kept a watchful eye on all proceedings. My role was to let the doctors-in-training diagnose my pain points and prescribe a possible diagnosis.

Because of privacy issues – that’s all I’m allowed to divulge.

I enjoyed the experience and got compensated for my time. Offering up closing credits, I would say the eight young men and women who examined me were highly professional and knew their stuff. Some were more nervous than others. Some were smooth as jazz. There were no second takes.

Good luck to them as they advance through the rest of their training curriculum. Someday they may be taking care of Elaine and me.