The use of a formative OSCE to prepare emergency medicine residents for summative OSCEs: a mixed-methods cohort study

Abstract Background The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a part of emergency medicine (EM) examinations such as the Masters Medicine in Emergency (MMed) and equivalent Member Royal College (MRCEM) examination. use formative OSCEs to prepare EM residents for summative has not been investigated. This study aimed evaluate role preparing MMed MRCEM OSCE. Methods was an observational, retrospective, mixed-methods cohort study. We analysed data from conducted by National Healthcare Group residency programme 2013 2019, questionnaire distributed all during period. Residents’ OSCE participation scores were compared with first-attempt success. Qualitative analysis residents’ opinions on usefulness performed. Results Forty-three 50 (86.0%) attended at least one Of 46 who responded questionnaire, 40 (87.0%) had attempted succeeded or OSCE, whom 35 (87.5%) first attempt. Residents attempt tended have higher proximate (mean = 70.6, SD 8.9 vs mean 64.3, 10.8) 67.4, 7.1 62.8, 7.3) scores. All 8/40 (20.0%) more than three their improve successive OSCEs, demonstrating positive training effect. felt that useful them Conclusions Participation multiple beneficial familiarising examination, giving opportunity perform near-examination conditions, providing feedback faculty about progress. Our findings may support implementation other programmes learners high-stake OSCEs.