RESUMO
Background: Objective structured clinical examination has advantages over traditional oral examinationt of medical student. However, it is not routinely used in Chile. Aim: To describe the objective structured clinical examination system and report the results of its first use with Chilean medical students. Material and methods: Thirteen interns ware evaluated at the end of their surgical rotation, using the objective structured clinical examination. Thirteen stations were structured for this examination: one for history taking, two for physical examination, four for problem solving and knowledge, one for radiological interpretation, one for instrumental recognition, one for skills and one for text comprehension. There were a total of 88 questions. Results: All students exceeded 60 percent of requirements. Mean approval score was 73 percent. The higher score was 80 percent and the lower 61 percent. Ten students had a score over 70 percent. The method was well accepted by teachers and students. Conclusions: This first local experience with the objective structured clinical examination was successful