Overcoming OSCE anxiety

Abstract

Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) can generate more anxiety than other forms of assessment. Ginny Chappell looks at methods of overcoming this Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are used to assess competency in advanced practice programmes. OSCEs generate more anxiety than other forms of assessment, which can be helpful to motivate studying but 20% of students find their performance is affected. OSCE anxiety may activate the sympathetic nervous system (flight for fight response). Worrying and catastrophising can lead to negative self-talk and increase stress levels further. These thought patterns and behaviours can be overcome using mindfulness techniques (including deep breathing exercises and grounding techniques), thought reframing or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and with careful preparation for the examination. Mindfulness reduces the sympathetic response and CBT retrains the brain to increase the positive self-talk. Together these techniques help students overcome OSCE anxiety and give their best performance in the examination.