Mapping How Objective Structured Clinical Examinations Are Operationalized to Support Student Learning Across Nursing, Nurse Practitioner, and Medical Education: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Abstract Background Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are a common assessment tool used to evaluate the application of clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning, competency-based performance, and professional behavior in health care education. Their development and facilitation are often included under the broader umbrella of simulation pedagogies. Despite their widespread adoption and the availability of guidelines, variability exists in approaches specific to OSCE development, implementation, and evaluation. Objective The purpose of this scoping review is to explore and describe the variability and similarities in OSCE development, implementation, and evaluation in nursing, midwifery, and medical education in the context of existing guidelines to inform future directive work in this area. Methods This review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews, with searches conducted by a librarian familiar with the scoping review process. Records retrieved will be reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). Two reviewers will independently assess the records for inclusion against the defined criteria and extract data using an adapted JBI extraction form. The data will be charted using narrative summary text, tables, and figures. Results As of July 2026, a search for existing reviews in the PubMed, PROSPERO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and JBI Evidence Synthesis databases has been conducted, yielding no current or in-progress reviews on our specific topic. An initial search feasibility assessment has been conducted to ensure sufficient articles for a robust review. Data collection, extraction, and analysis will be conducted over the 12 months following the literature search. The completed scoping review is anticipated to be submitted for publication in summer 2027. Conclusions This review will provide a comprehensive overview of how OSCEs are operationalized across nursing, midwifery, and medical programs. It will highlight emerging themes, key differences between guidelines and practice, and underresearched areas, informing future research and educational practice.