The OSCE has landed: One small step for British psychiatry?
OBJECTIVE
In the United Kingdom (UK), an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) has replaced the individual patient assessment (IPA) for part 1 of the membership examination of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych). The authors' assessment of the OSCE was conducted.


METHODS
Residents completed and evaluated an OSCE designed according to guidelines set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.


RESULTS
These residents considered the OSCE fair (86%) and appropriate (89%) in assessing clinical ability. They believed that the OSCE reflected the skills required in clinical practice and found it preferable to the IPA.


CONCLUSIONS
The OSCE received positive evaluation from residents.
Sauer
Justin
J
Institute of Psychiatry and Maudsley Hospital, Psychological Medicine (P070), London, United Kingdom. j.sauer@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Hodges
Brian
B
Santhouse
Alastair
A
Blackwood
Nigel
N
D004493:Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom