In our last blog we mentioned about objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) stations. In this blog, we will be discussing about the second type of OSCE station; structured discussion tasks.
STRUCTURED DISCUSSION TASKS
In these tasks, the candidate directly interacts with the examiner and the role-player is not present on these stations. The examiner will have detailed instructions about the task and a list of prompt questions to ensure that the candidate moves in the right direction. The examiner may provide further information as the tasks evolve.
The examiner may also ask the candidate to explain or further expand on an answer. These tasks may be similar to having case-based discussion with the consultant either on the ward round or while phoning them out of hours.
The aim of the examiner is not to fail the candidate, but to ensure that all candidates having the basic knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies are able to pass the MRCOG examination.
All examiners are trained to ensure that candidates are given adequate opportunity to demonstrate their skills. If the examiner feels that the candidate is not moving on the right track, they may ask them prompt questions to ensure that they are moving in the right direction. This helps in confirming that the candidate is able to cover all aspects of a particular clinical scenario in the time available. This way the candidates get the best chance to demonstrate all their skills.
LINKED TASKS
In part 3 examinations some of the OSCE stations may be linked. One station may represent a scenario representing a particular module, which may be linked to another station representing another module. Therefore, it is important for the candidate to know that although clinical scenarios in two separate OSCE stations may be linked, each of the tasks would be marked independently.
Also, the two examiners will not discuss a candidate’s performance. Therefore, the candidate needs to be assured that poor performance in the first task is unlikely to influence the marks awarded in the second task.
MARKING
The marking of all the stations is structured and thereby objective. This implies that irrespective of which examiner the candidates encounter, they are likely to obtain a similar score. Through the format of the MRCOG Part 3 examination, the RCOG ensures that each candidate is exposed to the same standard of the examination and all the candidates are evaluated against a similar standard.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
In these examinations particular attention is given towards maintenance of consistency and secrecy between various examination circuits held for the MRCOG Part 3 examination.
This is particularly important to ensure that the examination questions asked during a particular circuit do not leak out, thus giving the candidates who are attempting the examination in the next circuit an unfair advantage. The examination is held all over the world in various centers: London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Delhi on each day of the examination.
Consistency is maintained between the series of the examination held in May and November each year to ensure that both examination series approach similar level of difficulty. Before the examination, there is a careful checking process to ensure that all examination material is accurate, up-to-date, and evidence-based.
Also, the examiners undergo a training session to ensure that their marking is consistent and standardized for all the candidates prior to the examination. There is also a transparent appeals process for candidates who feel that they were unfairly marked for their performance during the examination.
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For More Information:
Email: crackingmrcog@jaypeebrothers.com
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Website: www.crackingmrcog.com
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