Work-based Assessment

There are many methods for work-based assessment; some are suitable for medical students, others for residents and postgraduate trainees. A multi-dimensional model appears to fit more precisely the interplay in medical practice of professional attributes, ranging from those that are strictly knowledge -based to those that are experience -based -scientific knowledge, judgment ,patient management skills, technical skills, interpersonal skills, attitudes and personal characteristics, experience monitoring and effectiveness of health interventions. The assessment can be focused on process or outcomes, moreover, it can provide hard (quantitative) or soft (qualitative) measures. The portfolio assessment is a multi- dimensional framework containing integrates evidence of achievement of learning outcomes over time and results of performance ratings, supervisors judgments and assessed work. Suggested examples suitable for providing feedback based on observation of trainee performance in the workplace: Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX), Clinical encounter cards (CEC), Clinical work sampling (CWS), Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS), Case-based discussion (CbD), Multi Source feedback (MSF).