These are done in order to assure that all students from each of the twenty-five different ICM groups achieve the same level of competence three times during the year. These milestones are required. Failure to complete and submit them may lead to an unsatisfactory being placed on the student's final ICM evaluation. Students should be observed by their instructor. The OSCA is a practical, clinical performance assessment in which components of clinical competence are isolated and assessed at separate stations.
Students typically rotate through a variety of stations each representing separate tasks.
Observations are standardized through the use of checklists and preset criteria. No one examiner or task unduly influences overall score. An assessment procedure which allows one to obtain an overall score and a profile. Students and their instructors will receive the student's grades for each station. Students who fail the overall OSCA will be required to do remedial work.