Assessing trainees in the workplace: results of a pilot study

This paper outlines the development and evaluation of the utility of workplace-based assessments in higher medical training: case-based discussion (CbD); the acute care assessment tool (ACAT); audit assessment; teaching observation and patient survey (PS). The study population included trainees in higher medical training (ST3+) from physician specialties in the U.K. The pilot consisted of a prospective study of the use of the new assessments using local study coordinators (LSCs) and volunteer trainees. In total, 169 LSCs were recruited and 134 trainees returned at least one assessment. The end-of-pilot questionnaire was returned by 44 assessors and 57 trainees. Questionnaire data and qualitative feedback were used to evaluate the validity, impact and feasibility of the new tools. For adequate reliability (co-efficient 0.7) a total of 12 CbDs; three ACATs and 16 PS raters are required. There was evidence for the validity and positive educational impact of all the tools. There were difficulties with the feasibility of the PS.