Objective Structured Clinical Examination: An Assessment Method for Academic-Practice Partnerships

Background: Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) can help mentors, clinical lecturers, and academic lecturers assess students with borderline performance. Methods: Cohort study in 120 fourth- year Nursing students (Bachelor's degree). OSCE stations, designed to evaluate cumulative content and skills, were assessed jointly by academic and clinical lecturers. Scores were compared with other summative assessments. Results: Mean OSCE score was 5.6 +/- 1.2 (10- point scale); 7.5% failed. Final clinical practice score 8.4 +/- 0.6, no students failed; content knowledge, 7.7 +/- 0.5, 12.3% failed. OSCE and practicum scores were strongly correlated in students who failed OSCE (r = 0.68). Conclusions: OSCE appropriately identified risk of poor performance in clinical practice. (C) 2017 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc.