Development, implementation and results of Objective Structured Clinical Exam in Psychiatric Association of Turkey Board Exam

Abstract

Object: The aim of this study, is to present the process and results of OSCE in Psychiatric Association of Turkey Board Exam-PATBE. Methods: Six stationed OSCE, in which Standardized Patient-SP took role on five stations, were used as an exam method. These stations were planned for assessing the skills of taking history, psychiatric examination, differential diagnosis, making treatment plans and informing the patient. On the sixth station, the examinees are asked to write a forensic psychiatric report. Phases of OSCE were: preparing the blueprint, preparing the SPs’ scenario for each station, preparing the examinee's instructions, preparing the observer's instructions and the evaluation guide, SP education, training of observers, pilot implementation, implementation and evaluation of results. The examinees are expected to achieve at least 30% success in each station and 50% success in all stations. Results: 116 examinees participated the exam between 2006-2016 and 91.4% succeeded in the OSCE exam. In feedback forms, examinees stated that the exam is moderately difficult; yet, the content of the exam is in line with the scope of their specialty training and is suitable for evaluating an expert. Discussion: Positive feedbacks from the examinees indicated the efficiency of the exam. The preparation, implementation and evaluation of results of OSCE require considerable time and manpower. OSCE can be used as a valuable test method for psychiatric board certification.

Keywords

• Psychiatry
• board exam
• OSCE
• standardized patient