Future healthcare scientists sit final assessments

Over 150 trainees on the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) went through the Objective Structured Final Assessments (OSFAs) in July and August this year. This is the first round of OSFAs based on the medical OSCE model with 20 specialisms being assessed through 150 clinical scenarios.

We are grateful for the support from colleagues in the NHS and the various professional bodies who helped with the development of the assessments.

The OSFAs were held at the General Medical Council’s Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester – a purpose built simulated clinical environment that offered the trainees and assessors a quality assessment experience in an authentic clinical setting. Trainee’s marks were entered directly into specialist software on iPads by the assessors enabling real-time analysis of scores and psychometric performance trends. Using on-screen marking puts the healthcare science community at the forefront of best practice and innovation in educational assessment.

Ian Cummings, Health Education England’s Chief Executive visited the OSFAs on the final day and was very impressed with the structure, organisation and rigour of the process, as well as the professionalism of all those involved.