Abstract
Recently, reforms in dental education have been remarkable and the demands level to the students increased, too. The situation of overall stress can be seen especially with such tests as the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) and CBT (Computer Based Training) for students. The OSCE was carried out in fiscal year 2006, and there was concern about peculiar tension different from that in the written test for students.
The aim of this study was to examine the students' psychological condition and the influence on the skill test of the OSCE.
The subjects of this study were 84 third-year students treated at Kyushu Dental College in fiscal 2006. Before implementing the simulation test, the degree of anxiety was measured using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) followed by the determination of the salivary chromogranin A (CgA) concentration, a biochemical marker of psychosomatic stress, the degree of tension being measured using blood pressure and pulse. The simulation test performed was tooth-brushing guidance in the field of periodontology, the score for which was determined with examination pa pers with a top score of 20. After completion of this test, STAI and CgA, blood pressure and pulse were measured again.
In the multiple regression analysis for which the response variable was the score on the simulation test before the examination, the influence was focused on Trait, pulse, and CgA. In the multiple regression analysis, for which the response variable was the score on the simulation test after the examination, the influence was focused on the average of blood pressure, pulse, and CgA.
From the results described above, it was determined that the psychologic and physiological stress in regards to the simulation test was significant for the students. OSCE education was recommended, and also the importance of guidance which takes into consideration psychological situation.
