During their education, medical students must learn and develop the fundamental history-taking and physical examination skills to prepare them for their medical careers. In an effort to standardize the clinical evaluations of these skills, North American medical schools use Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). Medical students and residents perform clinical tasks with a simulated patient and the student is evaluated on the questions that are asked of the patient and how the physical examination is conducted. These are generally evaluated in a checklist manner, with appropriate actions receiving a checkmark.
Most medical schools use this form of evaluation as early as the first year of medicine. The OSCE and Clinical Skills Handbook was designed as a study aid for medical students preparing for these examinations. It summarizes important history and physical examination skills but also presents the information in a Q & A format, designed to facilitate both individual and group study. It is a practical review for medical students of all levels. The various disorders are described in such a way as to guide the less experienced while also including a more sophisticated multi-system perspective.

The OSCE and Clinical Skills Handbook will be a valuable comprehensive reference to which any level of student can return often.

Emphasis on basic clinical skills facilitates learning by junior medical students.

Question and answer format suitable to a variety of learning levels facilitates the learning of basic skills for junior medical students and helps senior medical students develop an approach to clinical symptomatology.

Important points are presented in an easy-to-read bulleted list format.

Sample OSCE Scenarios and Sample Checklists provide accurate and realistic simulations of the OSCE exam format for students.

The OSCE Checklist Template enables students to construct their own sample checklists using cases from the book and helps them develop an approach to a variety of clinical scenarios.

A sample in-depth OSCE case provides an opportunity for practice.

The body systems approach and tabbing system provide fast and easy access to the content.

Contributors:

Peter Green Program Director, Division of Dermatology
Associate Professor of Dermatology, Dalhousie University

Glen Jickling, Neurology Resident, School of Medicine, Dalhousie University