Update on the audio-visual Objective Structured Clinical Examination on Saturday 20 November 2021

Dear  

We wish to update you on the continued progress of the AVOSCE for the delivery on Saturday 20 November 2021, which is proceeding well and on track.

There will be two exam sessions, AM and PM (Australian Eastern Daylight-Saving time). The morning exam will commence at 10.00 AEDT and the afternoon session will commence at 15:15 AEDT with a 90-minute registration prior to each exam session. If you have not received notification of your session start time, please contact the college as soon as possible at clinicals@ranzcp.org

Pre-exam pilot update

We held the pre-exam Pilot on Saturday 6 November 2021, with the aim to demonstrate the software platform for familiarity purposes to examiner groups, and allow a further check on role player, candidate, and examiner functionality. The feedback gathered has been used for quality improvement in discussions with the software provider. We continue to work on the configuration of the platform and the testing environment and are now moving into production (real exam) environment.

Training Demonstration sessions and resources

This week training demonstration sessions were held for candidates and examiners, and we really appreciate the time and commitment for attending these. We were pleased to see a high attendance rate and valued multiple questions and interaction from everyone.

Please be assured that we have taken the time to listen to your concerns and questions and have captured these in our Frequently Asked Questions and AVOSCE Instructions Manual, which will all be available on the website at:  

https://www.ranzcp.org/pre-fellowship/assessments-college-administered/osce/osce-november-2021 

The training demonstration sessions are included as recorded resources for all participants at the above link. If you have any further questions or comments, please send these through to clinicals@ranzcp.org 

Live Practice environment – SESSIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Practice on the exam platform is key to understanding and familiarising with the new software. To support users to become comfortable with the practice environment, we have set up a series of live practice sessions for candidates and examiners. Please note that as these practice sessions are live in real time, candidates and examiners undertaking the practice session must log in prior to commencement of the practice session.

These sessions are scheduled for:

Candidates:

• Saturday 13 Nov 10am AEDT
• Saturday 13 Nov 11am AEDT
• Saturday 13 Nov 12pm AEDT
• Sunday 14 Nov 11am AEDT
• Sunday 14 Nov 12pm AEDT
• Sunday 14 Nov 1pm AEDT
• Monday 15 Nov 5pm AEDT
• Tuesday 16 Nov 8am AEDT
• Tuesday 16 Nov 5pm AEDT
• Wednesday 17 Nov 8am AEDT
• Wednesday 17 Nov 5pm AEDT
• Thursday 18 Nov 8am AEDT

Examiners:

• Saturday 13 Nov 10am AEDT
• Saturday 13 Nov 11am AEDT
• Saturday 13 Nov 12pm AEDT
• Sunday 14 Nov 11am AEDT
• Sunday 14 Nov 12pm AEDT
• Sunday 14 Nov 1pm AEDT
• Monday 15 Nov 6pm AEDT

The link to join these practice sessions is:  https://assess.ranzcp.org

The login in is your RANZCP login and password (used for CPD or InTrain)

The practice sessions will run in real time and participants are expected to be logged in prior to the scheduled start time.

Support from the College staff will be available, guiding and assisting with the practice sessions. We look forward to seeing you online and encourage you to attend at least two of these sessions.

A video of the candidate and examiner experience whilst in the exam delivery platform will be available on the College website early next week.

Supports on exam day

There will technical support available on exam day, which can be accessed via the Chat function on the exam platform or via the AVOSCE Hotline. We will endeavour to address any issues/concerns as soon as possible.

Technical glitches or issues can be experienced with any online environment - we would encourage that you attempt to self-manage in the first instance by following these important steps:

1.   Log back into Assess App (iMark) as per your instructions manual

2.   Navigate to the Assessment Tab

3.   Open the current assessment session (swirl/highlighted)

4.   Connect to the correct Zoom room link, either Reading room zoom link or Assessment room zoom link

5.   For examiners: you are only required to be in the Assessment room Zoom link throughout the exam.

Important contact details

On exam day, if you unable to attend, or are running late, please contact the AVOSCE Hotline as early as possible:  

Australia +61 3 9236 9170

New Zealand +64 4 830 7188

Candidate concerns and supports leading into exam day

We are very mindful of the concerns candidates have with this new platform for AVOSCE and acknowledge the magnitude of the organisation required around work and personal life, and the anxiety associated with the examinations, combined with the limited assessment opportunities in the last 18 months to enable eligible candidates to complete assessments required as part of their Fellowship Program.

The College encourages candidates to seek support as required from the College provided services or candidates’ own support networks. It may be helpful to speak to someone such as your Director of Training, training supervisor or another colleague. We acknowledge the additional stress and uncertainty that has been caused by the pandemic and the disruption to your preparation, and indeed your lives during this period. We have several resources available on our website including services provided by:

TEN – The Essential Network for Health Professionals - Black Dog Institute

Communications

We have been made aware that not all recipients are receiving these communications.  If you are aware that your Director of Training (DoT) is not receiving these important updates, they may need to contact their IT department or check their junk folders, and/or provide the College with an alternative email address where these can be sent.

We have developed an AVOSCE webpage to access the information and updates on the AVOSCE, including a link to the last two communiques.

This is the largest OSCE the College has run, with over 250 candidates.

If you have any questions, please contact clinicals@ranzcp.org 

We extend best wishes to all candidates for this examination.

Associate Professor Lisa Lampe
Chair, OSCE Steering Group

Dr Nathan Gibson
Chair, Committee for Examinations

Dr Nick O’Connor
Chair, Education Committee