The RCPSC oral examination: patient perceptions and impact on participating psychiatric patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate patient perceptions and the impact of participating in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) long case oral examination. METHOD Immediately following the RCPSC exam, participating psychiatric patients completed a Participant Impact Questionnaire. We combined results for 2002 and 2003 from both the western and eastern sites. RESULTS Overall, there was a 93% response rate (132/142): 98% (65/66) for the western site and 88% (67/76) for the eastern site. Of the respondents, 94% said they would participate in the RCPSC oral exam again, if required. Most (92%) either agreed or strongly agreed that the exam was well organized; 76% either disagreed or strongly disagreed that the exam was stressful; only 9% agreed that they participated to earn extra money; and 82% strongly disagreed that they felt pressured by their psychiatrist to participate. Patients' written reasons for participating included, but were not limited to, helping to train future psychiatrists. We briefly discuss aspects of the use of real patients vs standardized patients in the RCPSC oral exam. CONCLUSION Patients who participated in the RCPSC long case oral exam generally found this experience very positive. The exam did not appear to have a negative impact on patients.