A Trial of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination for Basic Life Support Using an Automated External Defibrillator / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

We administered an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for basic life support (BLS) using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to fourth-year students of the Akita University School of Medicine. Although medical school graduates should be proficient in advanced cardiovascular life support techniques, this program is still on a trial basis. Furthermore, the general public should also be able to perform BLS. We believe that an OSCE for BLS using an AED is imperative, as Guidelines 2000 include defibrillation under the category of BLS. We formulated the questions, examination method, and standards for evaluation and arranged the schedule for the OSCE. The OSCE was administered without major problems, although some weaknesses were identified. High objectivity on the OSCE can be obtained only by constant evaluation under consistent conditions; however, the variability of evaluation between examiners on the OSCE reduced objectivity. After correcting this problem, the OSCE for BLS with an AED should be used throughout Japan.