Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

Many general practitioners are very much aware of the need for a more realistic method of assessing the skills and abilities of doctors. The Royal College of General Practitioners recognizes this need and is currently investigating the feasibility, reliability and validity of introducing such an alternative as an integral part of its membership examination. The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is one such method. It has the advantage that it allows a large number of competencies to be assessed in conditions which are the same for all candidates. Not only could it prove useful for examination purposes, but also as a method of continuing education. Feedback from OSCEs carried out by general practitioners has been generally positive. Although the usual format of 18 to 20 stations, each lasting approximately 4 to 5 minutes, was viewed as being unrealistic and artificial in terms of time limitations, the fact that the OSCE was addressing the clinical component was viewed with enthusiasm. The idea of concentrating on the 'whole consultation' lasting 10 minutes, rather than four or five, was something general practitioners frequently drew attention to. Ideally the OSCE should be assessing those areas of general practice for which written and oral methods prove inadequate. The organization and logistics surrounding the OSCE do not appear insurmountable. In fact general practitioners involved as co-ordinators found no difficulties in orchestrating the examination. The OSCE seems to have much to offer in general practice as an assessment tool.