The new book is the definitive text on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), providing an easily accessible account of the breadth and depth of experience gained worldwide from its use in a wide range of contexts and in different phases of education. The lessons learned from these diverse experiences are included throughout the text. Used globally in all phases of education in the different healthcare professions, the OSCE was first described by the lead author, Harden, in 1975 and it is now the gold standard for performance assessment. The new book is the definitive text on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), providing an easily accessible account of the breadth and depth of experience gained worldwide from its use in a wide range of contexts and in different phases of education. The lessons learned from these diverse experiences are included throughout the text. Used globally in all phases of education in the different healthcare professions, the OSCE was first described by the lead author, Harden, in 1975 and it is now the gold standard for performance assessment.

Professor Ronald M Harden is recognised as a leading international expert in medical education with experience as a teacher, curriculum developer, and teaching dean of a medical school. He is currently General Secretary of AMEE, an International Association for Medical Education.

An introduction to the Objective Structured Clinical Examination

• What is an OSCE?
• The inside story of the development of the OSCE
• The OSCE as the gold standard for performance assessment
• How the OSCE can contribute to the education programme
• What is assessed in an OSCE?

• Choosing a format for an OSCE
• The setting for an OSCE
• The patient
• The examiner
• Implementing an OSCE
• Evaluating the examinee's performance
• Providing feedback to the learner
• The examinee's perspective
• Evaluating an OSCE
• Costs and implementing an OSCE with limited resources

• Limitations of the OSCE
• Conclusions and looking to the future