Learning through examinations: use of an objective structured clinical examination as a teaching method in general practice.

An objective structured clinical examination was written to evaluate the primary care teaching in Southampton medical school's third year curriculum. Its transition from a summative to a formative evaluation is described. During the academic year 1985-86 the examination was completed by 115 students in 12 groups, and the results give some support to its validity. Students reported that they had learnt from the exercise and the reasons for this are discussed.