Implementation of Electronic Objective Structured Clinical Examination Evaluation in a Nurse Practitioner Program.

Abstract

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a valuable, yet resource-intensive method for evaluating clinical competence of students in health disciplines. Electronic OSCE (eOSCE) management programs have the potential to support evaluative efficiency and objectivity of OSCEs. The processes for selecting, implementing, and evaluating use of an eOSCE management system in a Master of Nursing Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program are described. Tailored selection and implementation of an eOSCE management system to fit program needs and available resources facilitated optimal use of eOSCE, promoting grading efficiency, ability to provide prompt feedback to students, and examiner objectivity. These advantages were found to outweigh the disadvantages of extra time and effort to initially learn the eOSCE program. A program-centered approach to implementation of an eOSCE management system supports high-quality, efficient assessment of student clinical competencies. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(8):502-505.].