Adapting Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE’s) to assess laboratory science skills in pharmacology students

Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) assessments of theoretical, practical and problem-solving skills at multiple stations have been adapted to examine practical skills in science disciplines to enhance employability and prepare students for research projects. We have recently expanded the range of students formally examined in communication and science laboratory practical skills by creating new assessment stations and adapting others to examine pharmacology practical skills. Using benchmark statements, student, staff and examiner feedback, stations assessing contextualised skills such as numeracy, graphic interpretation, drug mechanisms and targets, pharmacokinetics, and use of physiological data to identify appropriate drug treatments have been developed.