[A new instrument for the evaluation of the medical profession. Use of the OSCE method].
BACKGROUND
Objective structured clinical examination has advantages over traditional oral examination of medical student. However, it is not routinely used in Chile.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the objective structured clinical examination system and report the results of its first use with Chilean medical students.


METHODS
Thirteen interns ware evaluated at the end of their surgical rotation, using the objective structured clinical examination. Thirteen stations were structured for this examination: one for history taking, two for physical examination, four for problem solving and knowledge, one for radiological interpretation, one for instrumental recognition, one for skills and one for text comprehension. There were a total of 88 questions.


RESULTS
All students exceeded 60% of requirements. Mean approval score was 73%. The higher score was 80% and the lower 61%. Ten students had a score over 70%. The method was well accepted by teachers and students.


CONCLUSIONS
This first local experience with the objective structured clinical examination was successful.
Bustamante
M
M
Departamento de Cirugía, Campus Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile.
Carvajal
C
C
Gottlieb
B
B
Contreras
J E
JE
Uribe
M
M
Melkonian
E
E
Cárdenas
P
P
Amadori
A
A
Parra
J A
JA
D002677:Chile; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency