Undertaking a high stakes virtual OSCE (VOSCE) during Covid-19

Background The Covid pandemic and associated lockdown forced medical schools globally not only to deliver emergency remote teaching, but to consider alternative methods of high stakes assessment. Here we outline our approach to the resit virtual OSCE (VOSCE) for final year medical students that we undertook during lockdown in the current pandemic. Methods The original 'pre Covid' examination blueprint was reviewed and modified for the virtual environment in both format and content. In anticipation of the new format delivery, a number of pre-training sessions took place for all parties, and standardised templates were developed. Results A total of 9 students undertook the VOSCE, which took the form of a two-part exam (a communication and clinical examination component, and a practical procedures component). The VOSCE was completed by all students, examiners, simulated patients and invigilators on an online digital platform with no issues with regards to technical problems. Conclusions A total of 6 students passed the VOSCE and as such progressed to graduation. The limitation of assessing some particular types of skills across the remote format (such as practical procedures) was recognised. The training and the templates developed were helpful in case the VOSCE format needs to be adopted in future at short notice and/or expanded in future.

Automated summary

This study outlines the implementation of virtual OSCE for medical students during the pandemic, successfully completing the exam and allowing some students to graduate. The training and templates developed were helpful in case of future adoption of the VOSCE format at short notice.