General Exam Tips for GOSCE/OSCE

=Exam Preparation=
 * As you prepare for the group exam, remember how it is graded. Your demeanor/personal interactions and introduction skills receive nearly the same value as the content of your examination.

K07
Each GOSCE station is evaluated for the skills checklist and also a "hidden" checklist known by the code "K07". K07 is the code for showing respect for the patient's point of view and covers general interpersonal skills. These factors should be part of every patient interaction.
 * Ask patient how they would like to be addressed.
 * Follow the "talk before touch rule"
 * Ask the patient for their perspective on their condition
 * Ask how things are going in general
 * Report results of the exam as your proceed with the exam
 * ie: "Your heart sounds are normal and healthy"
 * Leave time for the patient to ask questions: "What questions do you have?"
 * If you give instructions, ask the patient to do a teach back to demonstrate comprehension/good communication

Introductions

 * Every patient encounter is evaluated for introductions.
 * Do you explain who you are and what you are doing?
 * Do you explain who you are working with?
 * Do you ask their permission to be examined/answer a few questions?
 * Do you wash your hands (20 seconds)?
 * Do you ask the patient what they would like to be called and address them by name?

OPQRST!! (or OLD CARTS)

 * OLD CARTS is preferred by some because it flows better in conversation.
 * Onset
 * Location
 * Duration
 * Character (stabbing, burning)
 * Aggrevating
 * Relieving
 * Temporal Factors (at night, comes and goes, constant, etc)
 * Severitiy

=Previous Exams=

The PCM leadership asked that past station topics not be shared.

=About OSCE= Objective Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE) is an evaluation of individual physical examination skills in a standardized patient setting. Students are evaluated primarily by the standardized patients themselves, though the interactions are video taped.
 * In the past, the test has consisted of 5 graded stations based on 3 patient encounters.
 * Patient encounters last 15 minutes and are similar to a GOSCE set up
 * One station consists of a oral report to an mock preceptor (actually a video camera) based on a previous patient encounter. The encounter is typically relayed as a SOAP note, including an assessment and plan.
 * One station consists as a written history based on a previous patient interaction.
 * The last station is notorious for video taping students while they write a paragraph for 20 minutes as a method to deter cheating.
 * Although the tips provided here may differ from OHSU's standards, OSCE Skills may be helpful.