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Título

The Usage of OSCE in neurology as a method to evaluate clinical knowledge and technique in medical students

Resumo

Introduction: oral and written exams allow for a traditional evaluation of clinical knowledge and skills in medicine, failing to gauge both technique and emotional skills in the students. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination, known as OSCE, is vastly used to supplement written exams, allowing students the chance to practice medical skills (such as taking patient’s history, going through the physical exam and formulating diagnosis) in a controlled space. In the Federal University of Alagoas’ Medical School (FAMED/UFAL), the OSCE is implemented during the 6th semester with the sole purpose of evaluating student’s technique and clinical thinking in the subject of Neurology. Objective: to report the neurologists’, assistant students’ and 6th semester students’ experience with the OSCE’s development and implementation in FAMED/UFAL. Method: The OSCE happened in FAMED/UFAL’s Abilities Laboratory in the rotation format; four stations were displayed with clinical cases addressing typical topics in neurology that were discussed during classes. Accessory devices were used to heighten the students’ immersion, such as videos, audio and actors. 1 minute was reserved for clinical cases’ initial reading and 4 minutes for the cases’ resolution, making each rotation lasting 20 minutes. Results: both assistant students and 6th semester students gave positive feedback to the neurology department about the OSCE. Evaluated students shared great interest in the possibility of conjoining theoretical and practical skills and the capacity to reinforce the knowledge passed on by the professors. The practice of both physical exam and clinical thinking were the highlights for the evaluated students, with most of them considering themselves ready to face neurological cases in real life. Conclusion: underestimated by most subjects in medical schools of Brazil, OSCE allows for a better implementation and evaluation of clinical and emotional skills, theoretical knowledge and practical technique in a controlled space, better preparing students for their future as professionals. Therefore, expansion of the OSCE method is needed for other clinical subjects in Brazilian medical schools, as a way to improve learning, reinforce skills that can not be gauged during written and oral exams and better prepare students for their future as doctors.