Building OSCE items

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) item type is a specialist item type used for OSCE assessments. There are several component parts to the item, each contributing to produce a rich assessment experience for both candidates and examiners. 

Creating an OSCE item

To create an OSCE item:

• Step 1 of 3

  Navigate to Items and Create new item.

  

• Step 2 of 3

  Complete the fields on the new item screen.

  

  1. Item type: Select OSCE station from the dropdown menu
  2. Item title: Give the item a name. This is entirely free-text and at your discretion, but it is required. This is not visible to candidates during the exam, but it can optionally be used later in the candidate feedback report.
  3. Item number: The item number auto populates but can be overwritten. Each item type maintains its own sequential index from 1-n (e.g. ARQ1, ARQ2 / SBA1, SBA2 etc.). By default this field will receive the next available sequential number for that item type.

• Step 3 of 3

  Some basic form fields for the item type are now made available.

  

  1. Item number: This is the item number established in the previous step. It can no longer be changed. 
  2. Question author(s): Unless specified, the question author will default to the current user. Alternatively you can select another author if you are inputting the material on someone else's behalf. Start typing a name in the field and the system will suggest names based on the list of users present in the system.
  3. Item title: The item title entered in the previous step. This can be changed here.
  4. Patient name: If a simulated patient is being used for the item, you can optionally specify a name here. This has no impact anywhere else in the system.
  5. Summary: This is a notes field for internal use. Entries made here do not appear to candidates and are for administrative use only.
  6. Examination duration (in rounds): This field denotes the number of exam rotations for which the station lasts. It defaults to 1, and unless you are running a double-length (or similar) station set up, should not be changed. Where double-length stations are being used a parallel instance of the station will be automatically created during scheduling. For further information please see the article on the rotations screen. 
  7. Marking duration (in rounds): Similar to the examination duration option, if any stations require additional marking time this can be added here. This will automatically create a gap after the station in the rotations screen. It defaults to 0 and, for most standard applications, should not be changed.
  8. Marksheet display: Where the exam is being delivered via iPad, this controls the default behaviour for the mark sheet display. The options are:
     • Split screen (default): The item is presented in split screen with any item resources on the left and the mark sheet on the right. Examiners can override this by rotating the device to full screen view. 
     • Full screen: Only full screen view is allowed. Examiners will always see the mark sheet in full screen view and cannot override this by rotating the device. Examiners can flip between the mark sheet and resources views using a toggle option. 

  Click Save item to commit the changes.

The authoring interface

There are several elements to the authoring interface which are covered in detail in separate articles. The below shows a summary of the layout.

1. Item information: This is the basic item information configured during the initial item creation. With the exception of the item number, all information can be adjusted here by clicking Edit item information.
2. Item resources: Any resources, including candidate, examiner and simulated patient instructions can be added and managed here. 
3. Blueprinting: Item tagging takes place under the blueprinting tab.
4. Marksheet: The item's mark sheet is built and administered under the marksheet tab. 
5. Item overview: The item overview tab displays information about the items usage in item sets and exams.
6. Item performance: Aggregated item performance analysis is presented under the item performance tab.
7. Cloning: The ability to clone an item is controlled from here. Once all required information has been added to the item, you will also see options to initiate the review and approval process from here.
8. Preview and export: The option to preview the item as it will appear for candidates and examiners in the exam or to export to HTML/PDF.
9. Item linking: Any enemy items can be specified and linked up here. 
10. Version history and activity log: The item's version history as well as a detailed log of changes that occurred within each of those versions is maintained here.