OSCE's
Objective Structured Clinical Exam "OSEC's" is a rite of passage for PA students. This is a test with a live, paid actor as the patient. Our first one involved doing a full head-to-toe physical, and then taking a history that takes 30 minutes to get through.
I can say that before I got started, this was one of the more stressful tests I've taken. The physical alone had 130 items to get to and while we were given 60 minutes to do, it it went so fast.
But a strange thing happened. Muscle memory told me what to do. My brain could almost be on auto pilot for this exam. Just tick all the boxes, just like in practice, just like I wrote on the white board 100 times. The time did go by so fast, and when I emerged as the first one finished in my group, I did begin to panic. But it was done!
The next day, I had to ask my patient over 200 questions to get to and explore their complaint. All while trying not to look stupid, trip over words, and help them feel at ease (while freaking out myself). All while wearing dress clothes. It's the clothes that have been the biggest transition for me personally. I have never had to dress myself so much in my life. I have never owned so many shoes! I got too used to uniform life (both at work and home (jeans and a t-shirt)). But I digress. Buckle up for a clothes panic/rant later next year.
So, that was our first (of 4) OSCE's. I loved and hated it, to be honest. I have never been good a play, except during my improv days. But the rest of them are a focused problem, exam, and interview. Soooo much better sounding than doing an entire head-to-to exam again.
I can say that before I got started, this was one of the more stressful tests I've taken. The physical alone had 130 items to get to and while we were given 60 minutes to do, it it went so fast.
But a strange thing happened. Muscle memory told me what to do. My brain could almost be on auto pilot for this exam. Just tick all the boxes, just like in practice, just like I wrote on the white board 100 times. The time did go by so fast, and when I emerged as the first one finished in my group, I did begin to panic. But it was done!
The next day, I had to ask my patient over 200 questions to get to and explore their complaint. All while trying not to look stupid, trip over words, and help them feel at ease (while freaking out myself). All while wearing dress clothes. It's the clothes that have been the biggest transition for me personally. I have never had to dress myself so much in my life. I have never owned so many shoes! I got too used to uniform life (both at work and home (jeans and a t-shirt)). But I digress. Buckle up for a clothes panic/rant later next year.
So, that was our first (of 4) OSCE's. I loved and hated it, to be honest. I have never been good a play, except during my improv days. But the rest of them are a focused problem, exam, and interview. Soooo much better sounding than doing an entire head-to-to exam again.
Comments