If an examiner scores a candidate as E or F then he/she will have to state reasons for doing so.
Radiology Masterclass
OSCE scoring and check lists
Check lists
OSCEs are marked on the basis of an examiner 'check list' and a 'global scoring' system. The check list is adapted for each OSCE case and will not stop you picking up 'points' by making other relevant observations.
Global scoring
You won't pass or fail on the basis of the check list alone, but rather it is a tool for the examiner to help determine the overall score. The good candidate will pick up a tick for every point along the way and arrive at a sensible conclusion relating to the OSCE scenario. If questions are asked these will be the same for every candidate. The examiner will make an overall assessment of competence and assign a grade as follows.
- A - Mostly excellent
- B - Mostly good
- C - Mostly satisfactory
- D - Mostly poor
- E - Mostly unacceptable
- F - Fail
Chest X-ray check list
Typical check list points for a chest X-ray OSCE are as follows
- Correctly identifies patient
- Correctly notes time and date
- Correctly states PA (or AP)
- Comments on image quality
- Comments on medical devices - O2 tube/pacemaker etc
- Assesses lung expansion
- Accurately assesses heart size
- Comments on salient abnormalities using correct terminology
- States correct diagnosis
- Offers appropriate management plan
- Requests appropriate next image
Abdominal X-ray check list
Typical check list points for a abdominal X-ray OSCE are as follows
- Correctly identifies patient
- Correctly notes time and date
- Comments on image quality
- Comments on medical devices
- Assesses bowel gas pattern
- Assesses soft tissues and bone
- Comments on abnormal calcification
- Offers appropriate management plan
- Requests appropriate next image - eg ERECT chest X-ray