Revisiting TiOSCE (Task Integrated Objective Structured Clinical Examination) for Remote Assessment in COVID-19 Pandemic

In the backdrop of OSCE known for a valid but fragmented test of clinical competency, a new assessment format named the, �Task-�integrated Objective Structured Clinical Examination (TiOSCE) � was developed by the author in 2012. However, author had no idea then that the TiOSCE will provide a readily available tool to remotely assess students� performance in a crisis like COVID-�19 in which a face-�to-�face delivery of OSCE may not be possible. TiOSCE at the time of its invention was aimed to introduce integrated OSCE with multiple sub-�stations and simulated patient (SP) using authentic case scenario to respond to OSCE being segmented tests of clinical competency. Present work is a reproduction of the same TiOSCE in terms of principles, rationale, protocol, logistics and the outcome with add-�in concepts of remote exam for its implementation in COVID-�19 crisis. Aiming to revist TiOSCE is to find its utility of remotely managed assessment in a crisis like COVID. TiOSCE with remote assessment concepts has been designed with multiple integrated sub-�stations. At each station students will spend five minutes to perform and one minute to read about the task. This will make each OSCE (with 5 sub-�stations) of 20 +4 minutes station. Each of 4 sub-�stations are divided into clinical attributes of history taking, physical examination, investigation and management skills stations to assess students clinical performance using online assessment. Logistically tedious and laboured, TiOSCE is achievable for online delivery as a readily available approach to examine students� clinical performance at a, �know how� than �show how� level of Miller�s clinical competency pyramid. Nevertheless, the process provides the opportunity to continuing assessment of learning experience in any critical situation like COVID�19 pandemic.