This exam is conducted every year around late September and assesses the ability to "read, speak, listen, write, and examine" in Japanese, corresponding to the Pre-CC OSCE taken by medical students in Japan. According to the overview (from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website), it investigates whether the candidate possesses sufficient ability to conduct examinations in Japanese. Specifically, it assesses whether the candidate has abilities equivalent to those who have completed a medical curriculum at a Japanese medical school in areas such as collecting medical information like current medical history and physical findings, planning tests and treatments, and preparing medical certificates. A total score of 60 or above out of 100 is required, and there must be no items rated zero by any of the evaluators.
Evaluated Abilities
Medical interviews and descriptions or explanations related to the treatment of patients presenting major symptoms that are frequently encountered in daily medical practice will be conducted, and two investigators will evaluate each of the following areas on a four-point scale (3 to 0). If any of the evaluations from the investigators is a 0, it will result in a failure. Various preparatory schools offer courses for the Japanese medical examination, but they are all quite close to the exam date. Both the medical history taking and physical examination have shorter time limits than the Pre-CC OSCE, and the responses vary depending on the examiner, so it is recommended to practice with friends early on to avoid being flustered.
Listening ability
Ability to listen to the patients and healthcare professionals and correctly understand the content.
Speaking ability
Ability to speak to patients and medical professionals accurately and explain the contents of the medical treatment and gain understanding.
Writing ability
Ability to properly create basic medical records in Japanese.
Reading ability
Ability to read aloud while correctly understanding the medical terms used in Japan.
Examination ability
Ability to appropriately take physical findings while providing specific explanations to the patient, as well as properly explaining those findings to healthcare professionals.
Evaluation category
[3] No different from those who received medical education in Japanese. [2] There are some difficulties, but they do not hinder medical practice. [1] Overall, there are difficulties, but they can barely be overcome. [0] There are inconveniences in examinations, such as the risk of misunderstandings.
The patient part: In 4min 30, the candidate will perform a consultation with a mock patient (member of the ministry). The consultation is performed with the OSCE Model. The candidate must be able to obtain the anamnesis. The physician part: During 1min 30, the candidate asks to another member of the staff about which symptoms are observed in the physical examination. The writing: In 5 min, the candidate writes all the obtained information. The writing has to be in the form of the SOAP model.
The physical examination is a 10 min long examination. The candidate has to perform in 6 min a physical examination in a safe environment for the patient and himself. At the beginning the patient must read a text about the patient medical history. Then perform the examination. In the examination room, there is a bench examination, two garbage can (one for normal detritus, one for contaminated), and a table. On the table there are different tools to perform the consultation. There is a reflex hammer, a tuning fork, alcohol disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer gel, lamp, tongue depressor. The candidate writes his answer with SOAP model. But the student only writes the OA part.
Mock patients are like patients that can be encountered in emergency department. Every candidate has to manage one general case (such as chest pain, belly pain), and one case of gynaecology or paediatrics. The physical examination covers every type of complaints (vertigo, chest pain, …).
This examination is long. It is recommended to eat well before the examination. There are 2 sessions everyday (one in the morning, one in the afternoon). Between each mock patient candidates wait in a room for one hour, without windows, chatting is forbidden. Usually, the morning session start around 9h00 and finish around 12h30. The afternoon starts around 13h30 and finish around 17h-18h00.
You have to bring a lab coat, and a stethoscope for the examination. It is recommended to wear a suit for the examination. No need to bring a pen. There is a pen in each room.
