A new path in Pharmaceutical Care: the fitness of Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation

Introduction: Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) is a novel and best-performing tool in the evaluation of clinical competencies. Its use in Pharmacy represents an opportunity to innovate and improve the teaching-learning process. Method: The implementation process was structured in two stages: 1) Preparation phase, which included the theoretical design and practical planning of the OSCE test with three key components (Organizing Committee, Map of Competencies and Table of Specifications and Selection of Cases and Design of Stations) and the practical planning with the assembly of the test; 2) Phase of execution and evaluation of results. Results: The pilot study was carried out at the School of Pharmacy (University of Granada, Spain) in the 2018-2019 academic year, and 33 undergraduate students and 14 Master students participated. Five competencies were evaluated: Clinical, Technical, Pharmaceutical Services, Communication and Educational activities, delivered in five stations, three with simulated standardized patients and two written stations. Material, human and economic resources were identified. The necessary material, human and economic resources were identified, the documents for each station were prepared and the participants were selected and trained. Conclusions: OSCE is a suitable and great tool for evaluating the specific competencies of Pharmaceutical Care. The procedure and key elements identified facilitate the implementation of this type of innovative tests in Pharmacy.