Assessing the ability of medical students to apply evidence in practice: the potential of the OSCE

Authors: Bradley, Paul¹; Humphris, Gerry²

Source: Medical Education, Volume 33, Number 11, November 1999 , pp. 815-817(3)

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Abstract:

Objectives

Critical analysis and application of evidence-based practice are key skills for students to master. Assessment of these skills can be undertaken by written examination. Regardless of how knowledge of the appraisal process may be assessed, written examinations ignore assimilation of that evidence into everyday practice. Design

A combined clinical and communication skills station was used in an objective structured clinical examination where the ability to appraise evidence critically was assessed along with the application of that evidence in managing a common clinical problem. Setting

University of Liverpool. Subjects

Undergraduate medical students. Results

The results from 156 undergraduate medical students demonstrated that it is possible to assess the application of evidence in practice, both in terms of outcome and patient assessment of the encounter. Conclusions

Assessment is a powerful tool in promoting learning and adoption of such assessment strategies may help to address concerns surrounding apparent poor effect of critical appraisal training.

Keywords: Clinical competence; communication; *education, medical, undergraduate; evidence-based medicine, *education

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.1999.00466.x

Affiliations: 1: Senior Lecturer & Director (Clinical Skills), Clinical Skills Resource Centre, Department of Health Care Education, 2nd Floor, E Block, 70 Pembroke Place, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GF, UK, 2: Senior Lecturer and Director (Communication Skills), Department of Clinical Psychology, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK

Publication date: 1999-11-01