ASSESSMENT AUGUST 2010-2011
Please see the STFS dedicated ePortfolio page for further information.
Assessments are monitored by ePortfolio. All assessments are now completed on-line. Trainees and their educational supervisors then receive feedback on their performance on a regular basis. Trainees should check their e-mail accounts regularly for any assessment updates.
A. MSF (Multi-Source Feedback)
Team Assessment of Behaviour (TAB)
This consists of the collated views from a range of co-workers (previously described as 360-degree assessment). It will be mapped to a self-assessment tool with identical domains.
• MSF should usually take place at least once a year.
• Both F1 and F2 TAB should be taken in the first four months of the year’s training. If there is a risk of “rater fatigue”, i.e. overburdening of a small number of colleagues, then F2 TAB could be undertaken in the second four months of training. If there are concerns about any foundation doctor, TAB can be repeated in the last four months of training.
• For each assessment, the foundation doctor should nominate 15 raters. A minimum of 10 returns are required. No other foundation doctor can be a rater.
Recommended mix of raters/assessors is as follows:
• 2–8 doctors more senior than F2, including at least one consultant or GP principal
• 2–6 senior nurses (band 5 or above)
• 2–4 allied health professionals
• 2–4 other team members including ward clerks, secretaries and auxiliary staff.
B. Direct observation of doctor/patient encounter
Two tools can be used to assess doctor/patient encounters:
i. Mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX)
ii. Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS).
Foundation doctors are required to undertake a minimum of nine observed encounters in both F1 and in F2. At least six of these encounters each year should use mini-CEX.
i. Mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX)
This is a structured assessment of an observed clinical encounter.
• Foundation doctors should complete a minimum of six mini-CEX in F1 and another six in F2. These should be spaced out during the year, with at least two mini-CEX completed in each four month period.
• A different assessor should be used for each mini-CEX wherever possible, including at least one of consultant or GP level, per four month placement.
• Each mini-CEX must represent a different clinical problem, sampling one of the acute care, chronic illness, psychiatric care, etc. (categories listed in the Syllabus and competences).
ii. Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS)
This is a structured checklist for assessing the foundation doctor’s interaction with the patient when performing a practical procedure.
• Foundation doctors may submit up to three DOPS as part of the minimum requirements for evidence assessing doctor-patient encounters. However, there should also be a minimum of six mini-CEX per annum (see mini-CEX above).
• Different assessors should be used for each encounter wherever possible.
• Each DOPS could represent a different procedure and may be specific to the specialty.
• Although DOPS was developed to assess procedural skills, its primary purpose in foundation is to assess the doctor/patient interaction.
C. Log book (F1 only)
The GMC requires demonstration of competence in a series of procedures in order for a provisionally registered doctor with a licence to practise to be eligible for full registration. These will be recorded and signed off in a log book, which is found in the e-portfolio.
A completed log book is also required for successful completion of the Foundation Programme.
N.B. This is to be completed for F1 only. All other assessments will be needed for both F1 and F2.
D. Developing the clinical teacher
This is a form to aid the assessment of a foundation doctor’s skill in teaching and/or making a presentation.
E. Case based discussion (CbD)
This is a structured discussion of clinical cases managed by the foundation doctor. Its strength is assessment and discussion of clinical reasoning.
• A minimum of six CbDs should be completed, with at least two CbDs undertaken in any four month period.
• Different assessors should be used for each CbD wherever possible.
• Assessors should have sufficient experience of the area under consideration, typically higher specialty training, with variations between specialties.
• Each CbD must represent a different clinical problem, sampling one of the acute care, chronic illness, psychiatric care etc (categories listed in Syllabus and competences).
