What are the different roles in group practice mode?

What are the different roles in Group Practice Mode?

The OSCE Stations platform is ideal for group practice, with support for multiple roles. Group Practice Mode is available to both free and paid users.

🔗 Learn how to set up Group Practice Mode here

Please note: Virtual patients and virtual examiners are not available in Group Practice Mode.

You need at least two people to start: a candidate and an examiner (the examiner can also act as the patient).

When you join a session, a short introduction explains what your role involves.

The Candidate

The candidate is the person being assessed, practising their OSCE skills.

Preparation

You'll be taken to the candidate instructions, along with a preparation timer
Use this time to review the scenario details (e.g. station type, setting, brief patient summary)
A notes box is available to jot down key points

During the Station

Interact with the patient while the examiner times the station
If practising remotely, make sure you're on Zoom or in the group chat room so you can hear each other
Your group can choose whether to include the examiner Questions at the end

After the Station

Once the examiner completes the station, you'll see your station results
You'll receive checklist-based scoring, global impression feedback, and optional patient feedback
Your results are laid out in tabs - Summary, Checklist, Questions, Feedback and Resources
Feedback can be delivered verbally, viewed on-screen, shared using Copy link to share, or saved with Download as PDF

The Patient

The patient answers the candidate's questions or acts as the model for examination.

Preparation

After selecting your role, you'll be taken to the patient instructions
Instructions vary by station type — they may be detailed (e.g. history-taking) or brief (e.g. examinations)
Some details are marked to be revealed only if directly asked, so review carefully

During the Station

Respond appropriately to the candidate's questions or actions
Join the group chat room or your video call if practising remotely
Remember: it's the candidate being assessed, not you
The examiner is responsible for timing

After the Station

You can offer basic feedback on the candidate to the examiner - for example, whether you would be happy to be treated by this candidate
You will not see the detailed examiner feedback

The Examiner

The examiner assesses the candidate and manages timing.

If you're in a group of two, you'll also act as the patient - you'll find the patient script alongside the checklist.

Preparation

You'll have access to the full station content, including candidate and patient instructions, the checklist, diagnosis (if relevant), and the optional examiner Questions
There's a preparation timer you can manage if the candidate prefers not to do it themselves

During the Station

Start the timer at the beginning of the station
Make sure everyone is on your video call or in the chat room if practising remotely
Mark the candidate using the OSCE checklist
You can ask the optional examiner Questions at the end

After the Station

Inform the group that the station has ended
Complete the feedback, including: OSCE checklist results, global impression, patient feedback and optional free-text comments
If the station has examiner questions, click Continue to questions - this locks your marking and moves the group on
When you're finished, click Complete station
You'll see the station results, which the candidate can also view

You can:

Give feedback verbally
Share a link using Copy link to share
Save a copy using Download as PDF

Running a circuit

Click Next station to move everyone on to the next station together
You'll then see Roles for the next station, where we suggest new roles to mix things up fairly. You can change them, or click Restore previous roles to keep the same roles as the last station

Only the host can end a station. If someone needs to leave early, they should let the host know first - their progress is saved. If the host disconnects, another member of the group is made host automatically.

The Observer

The observer can view the station and learn by watching others.

You can view candidate and patient instructions
If you'd like access to the checklist, open the station separately (outside Group Practice Mode), but note you won't be part of the group session
You can help run timers if needed
Observers cannot view the examiner's feedback

On our premium stations, observers need their own access to that station collection.

Updated on: 04/09/2026

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