12 Mar, 2025
Queensland’s next generation of ophthalmologists practised their clinical skills in a simulated test environment at QEI in February, prior to sitting their final exam in Melbourne at the Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the final step for registrars working towards fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO).
Exam candidates complete a series of timed activities (OSCE stations) in a circuit. Each station has a trained examiner who assesses the students’ performance against a standardised scoring sheet.
QEI’s Dr Geoff Ryan, who organised the recent practice exam at the Woolloongabba clinic, says the OSCE exam is extremely difficult and designed to ensure high quality Australian ophthalmologists.
“Candidates need to be at the top of their game to pass,” Dr Ryan says.
“The time pressure of the exam can be a significant stressor on the day. Getting to practise the timing and how it will feel on the day increases their chances of passing,” he says.
In addition to his QEI practice, Dr Ryan works at the Mater Public Hospital. He’s also a member of RANZCO’s Queensland education committee which selects doctors for the ophthalmology training program. This means he’s well placed to talk to training doctors about the education opportunities offered by QEI.
“The public hospitals also offer practice exams but not on the scale QEI provides,” Dr Ryan says. “The advantage of running a simulated OSCE here is the large number of ophthalmology specialists who can act as examiners.”