The results are in for the College of Optometrists’ latest OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination): 391 candidates sat the OSCE in July – the Scheme for Registration’s final assessment – resulting in a pass rate of 75 per cent, the same pass rate as last July’s cohort.
The OSCE consists of 17 five-minute stations, made up of 16 clinical tasks and a rest station. Each station assesses the candidates’ skills, including history taking, communication, data interpretation, clinical examination and practical skills.
During the OSCE, which took place at the Royal College of General Practitioners, candidates may be tested on any of the stage two elements of competence set out by the General Optical Council. This assessment acts as a final check that competence across the framework has been achieved and maintained.
The College’s head of examinations, Joseph Oakley, commented: “Congratulations to the candidates who have now passed their final assessment, and I’d like to welcome them to the profession. Passing the OSCE is the culmination of a lot of hard work and those who have passed should be very proud of all they have achieved during the challenging, but rewarding, pre-registration period. Those who have passed will have demonstrated their competence across the framework and I wish them all the best in their future careers.”
The College has hosted four OSCEs a year since its inception in July 2010.