Qualitative evaluation of a cumulative exit-from-degree objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in a Gulf context

Abstract

Introduction: Cultural adaptation of assessments into new contexts requires extensive evaluation to ensure validity of examination methods. Aims: The study objective was to critically analyse a cumulative OSCE for graduating pharmacy students in Qatar from stakeholder perspectives. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with stakeholders to perform a SWOC (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, challenges) analysis. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analysed for content using an inductive analytical approach. Results: The content analysis resulted in 20 categories. Strengths included training, assessment practices, familiarity, standardisation, and satisfaction. Weaknesses included discomfort, assessment practices, exam organisation, and training. Opportunities included future licensure, regulator support, improvement, and standardised actor pool. Challenges included novelty, failure policies, specialised pharmacists, preparation of practicing pharmacists, collaboration, cultural differences, and OSCE overall scoring. Conclusion: Adaption of a cumulative OSCE in Qatar is positively perceived by stakeholders yet opportunities exist to improve design and implementation within our context.