Last Wednesday, June 19th, the Clinical Skills Simulation Area of the Universidad Miguel Hernández (ASCUMH) hosted the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for the final year students of the Physiotherapy Degree from the UMH Faculty of Medicine. The exam, which began at 09:00 and continued throughout the day, took place on the first floor of the Severo Ochoa building at the Sant Joan d’Alacant campus. This exam is the last of the three held during the 2023/2024 academic year.

The OSCE is a mandatory requirement for the completion of the Physiotherapy Degree. A total of 78 students participated in this evaluation, which was conducted at five stations in two rounds specifically designed by the faculty of the Physiotherapy Area. These stations, each lasting 10 minutes, covered various clinical situations in neurological, pediatric, and trauma physiotherapy. The students had to perform procedures, communicate effectively with simulated patients, and make clinical decisions based on their assessments.

Each station was evaluated by a panel of two professors, using specific rubrics through the OpenECOE program of the UMH. This evaluation methodology is widely recognized in health sciences education, as it allows for objective assessment of performance in simulated clinical situations.

The event involved more than 30 participants, including teaching staff, evaluators, and actors who played the role of standardized patients, providing a learning and evaluation experience as close to reality as possible. The collaboration of the technical staff from the Technical Support and Innovation Development Service (SATDI) was crucial for the organization and development of the exam, ensuring the operability of the evaluation systems and recording equipment.

The OSCE not only assessed the practical competencies of the students but also reaffirmed UMH’s commitment to excellence in clinical training, preparing future physiotherapists for the challenges of professional practice.