Vol. 39 No. 2 (2024)
Research Articles

Current Evidence in Virtual and In-Person Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in Nurse Practitioner Education: A Narrative Review

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Dr. Jennifer-Lynn Fournier
Athabasca University
Bio
Dr. Robyn Gorham
Laurentian University
Bio
Anthony Olowu
Laurentian University
Bio
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55667/10.55667/ijede.2024.v39.i2.1352

Published 2025-03-13

How to Cite

Fournier, D. J.-L., Gorham, D. R., & Olowu, A. (2025). Current Evidence in Virtual and In-Person Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in Nurse Practitioner Education: A Narrative Review. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education Revue Internationale Du E-Learning Et La Formation à Distance, 39(2). https://doi.org/10.55667/10.55667/ijede.2024.v39.i2.1352
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Abstract

Abstract

Aim: To review the efficacy of virtual and in-person Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) in nurse practitioner (NP) education. Scope: OSCEs are often used to evaluate the clinical competencies of NP students. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift towards virtual OSCEs, prompting this review of literature. The utility, benefits, and drawbacks of virtual versus in-person OSCEs will be explored. Methods: This meta-narrative review examines existing literature focused on both virtual and in-person OSCEs, as well as publications addressing both methods. Nine peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024 were gathered from three electronic databases. Articles were limited to those focusing on operationalization of OSCEs and student evaluation and learning. Findings: Five overarching themes emerged. These included: the value of OSCEs, benefits and challenges of virtual and in-person OSCEs, student performance and learning, student satisfaction, and feasibility. Conclusion: Both virtual and in-person OSCEs have valuable roles in NP education. An approach that incorporates both methods is recommended to optimize resources, student learning, and assessment outcomes. A mixed approach leverages the logistical advantages and cost-effectiveness of virtual assessments with the hands-on experience, standardization, and motor skills training associated with in-person OSCEs.

Keywords: Virtual OSCEs, in-person OSCEs, Nurse Practitioner Learning, Clinical Competency, narrative review.

Donnees actuelles sur les examens cliniques objectifs structures en mode virtuel et en presentiel dans la formation des infirmiers praticiens : Une revue narrative

Resume :. Objectif : Évaluer l'efficacite des examens cliniques objectifs structures (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations - OSCE) en mode virtuel et en presentiel dans la formation des infirmiers praticiens (IP). Portee : Les OSCE sont couramment utilises pour evaluer les competences cliniques des etudiants en formation d'infirmier praticien. Cependant, la pandemie de COVID-19 a entraîne un passage vers des OSCE virtuels, ce qui a amene a realiser cette revue de la litterature. L'utilite, les avantages et les inconvenients des OSCE virtuels par rapport aux OSCE en presentiel y sont analyses. Methodes : Cette revue meta-narrative examine les publications existantes traitant des OSCE virtuels et en presentiel, ainsi que des etudes comparant les deux approches. Neuf articles evalues par des pairs, publies entre 2014 et 2024, ont ete selectionnes a partir de trois bases de donnees electroniques. Seuls les articles traitant de l'operationnalisation des OSCE, de l'evaluation des etudiants et de l'apprentissage ont ete retenus. Resultats : Cinq themes principaux ont emerge : la valeur des OSCE, les avantages et defis des OSCE en mode virtuel et en presentiel, la performance et l'apprentissage des etudiants, la satisfaction des etudiants et la faisabilite des deux approches. Conclusion : Les OSCE virtuels et en presentiel jouent tous deux un rôle important dans la formation des IP. Une approche combinee est recommandee pour optimiser les ressources, l'apprentissage des etudiants et les resultats des evaluations. Cette approche mixte permet de tirer parti des avantages logistiques et de la rentabilite des evaluations virtuelles, tout en preservant l'experience pratique, la standardisation et l'entraînement aux competences motrices offerts par les OSCE en presentiel.

Mots-cles : OSCE virtuels, OSCE en presentiel, apprentissage des infirmiers praticiens, competence clinique, revue narrative.

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References

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