OSCE FAQs

After you have made your OSCE booking, your assessor will send via email all your details and will arrange for a meeting link (via Teams or Zoom) 5 working days before your exam date. This invite will not come from ARTP, it will come from the assessors personal email. Please ensure you accept the meeting invite before your OSCE exam, and provide the information stated in the information above.

You may be asked if you want to test the system before the day and this link up will only be to test that everything works at each end, rather than to ask questions. Please email your assessor directly to set this up.

• Access to a computer/laptop/tablet
• A stable internet connection 
• A camera and audio so that you can carry out the live video conference
• Contraindications checklist: Accessible in the ARTP SOP but should be specific to candidate’s workplace
• Spirometer: A fully functional and properly calibrated spirometer is required for the session.
• Calibration/verification Syringe: A calibration syringe must be available for candidates to demonstrate equipment calibration procedures.
• Weather meter: unless the spirometer has a built in weather sensor
• Disposables: Single-use mouthpieces, nose clips, viral/bacterial filters.
• Additional Tools: cleaning and disinfection materials to maintain hygiene protocols.
• Books or learning materials will not be allowed. The examiner will ask to see the area you are working in so that they can verify this. 

You will perform a spirometry test with your own equipment on a volunteer that you have selected, over a cloudbased video conferencing platform such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or other available software.

You will also be required to share the results of the spirometry with the assessor, so that the assessor can confirm acceptability and repeatability criteria have been met. You can do this in one of three ways:

1) Sharing your screen with the assessor via the online platform

2) Holding the screen up to the assessors camera

3) Emailing the results to the assessor after the OSCE is complete

If you choose this option you should send the results to the assessor immediately upon completion of the OSCE, otherwise there will be a delay in you receiving your results.

It does not matter how you share the results, but you need to inform the assessor beforehand how you intend to do this so they are aware.  

There is on an online video showing how this will work so that you can become familiar before your OSCE and this is shown at the bottom of this page.

The OSCE session is 45 minutes which will include preparation of the environment, spirometer and patient, the performance and evaluation of the test and the technical VIVA question and answer session.

The OSCE consists of two sections, a practical assessment and a technical viva.

The Practical Assessment will consist of assessment of calibration or verification of the spirometer and assessment of the performance of quality assured diagnostic spirometry.

The Technical Viva will include a number of pre-defined questions that either relate to the spirometry the candidate has performed or are general questions about technical aspects of spirometry.

No, even those undertaking the paediatric course will be asked to use an adult, without any known lung conditions, to be the patient. The test should be conducted in the same manner as though you were testing a child and the VIVA will include questions on the differences in paediatric spirometry.

ARTP understand that clinical spaces and equipment are in high demand and may not all be accessible or available at the time of assessment and endeavour to be as helpful as possible in these situations. It is mandatory for the spirometer and its calibration/verification syringe to be available at the time of assessment however the processes that require other equipment such as weighing scales, height stadiometer, cleaning equipment etc can be talked through verbally with assessor. If you have any queries about the availability of your equipment you should contact ARTP to clarify.

There will be a number of questions either relating to the spirometry you have just performed or general questions about technical aspects of spirometry.

The candidate will be asked to demonstrate understanding and knowledge that the results they have obtained are technically acceptable and reproducible within guidelines of spirometry performance not reporting (interpretation).

It is the responsibility of the practitioner performing the spirometry to ensure the results obtained are technically acceptable and reproducible, if this is not achieved, this should be recognised and reported to the clinician reviewing/reporting the results. 

You will receive your results within 5 working days of the exam via email.

You will need to recruit an adult subject to test but it is advised this be someone who does not have a known lung condition. The subject will be asked to sign a consent form to perform spirometry during the OSCE. They will not be required for all of the OSCE, only the performance of the test.

If, during the examination, there are technical difficulties that cannot be rectified, you can terminate the OSCE and reschedule it.

If there is a small amount of technical difficulty that is easily resolved, extra time will be given to make up for that time lost. You will be asked at the end of your virtual OSCE whether you felt that there were any technical issues that you feel affected your performance; the assessor will note your comments for future reference.

Yes. You will be able to do this within a week of the OSCE. The assessor will contact you directly about this, however this link up will only be to test that everything works at each end, rather than to ask questions.

If you need to cancel your OSCE examination, please go to your booking confirmation email and use the cancellation link no later than 2 days before the OSCE exam date, so our assessor has time to replan their time. If you cancel after this time, it will result in a 'no show' first attempt fail.