A few crazed ramblings from someone still at work after 3 sequential paed
resuscitations......
I'm not a great fan of tick box lists. It focuses us all on skills and ignores
knowledge and, just as importantly, attitudes and communication skills. It
also encourages generic assessment and also "cherry picking" by SHOs so that
they can complete the list.
Remember, each SHO is different and has different learning needs. It may be
entirely reasonable to expect a VTS doc to be able to do a full mental state
examination and initial psychiatric evaluation including assessment of risk
for self harm, but that may not be as appropriate for a surgical trainee (God
forbid!!!!!).
Adrian's question is valid however - should there be a core set of standards
that each SHO meets regardless of their background and development plan. I
suppose this is fairly similar to the curriculum for the primary MRCS A&E.
MCQ's? Little use in isolation but can be a valuable component. An OSCE is a
far better way of assessing more than just knowledge. More manpower dependent
if done properly but more fun and certainly gives a better idea if stations
are included that include data interpretation, communication skills, practical
skills, and the odd MCQ/MEQ station.
Does anyone have a well designed OSCE that they use for their SHO's? If so, I
would gladly trade a copy of my SHO portfolio work!!!!!!!!!
Remember also that OSCE's at different stages of the job serve different
purposes. At the beginning, they can be used to highlight deficiencies in core
knowledge. It is vital that this OSCE is NOT threatening or punative. Best
done in a relaxed manner. OSCE's at mid-term can be used to ensure that the
SHOs are up to speed with vital aspects of the job (good suturing,
ALS/ATLS/APLS, management of the common emergency e.g. unstable
angina/LVF/acute abdo etc). OSCE's at the end can be used as an evaluation of
the SHO.
Enough of my rambling. This message is reaching gargantuam (or at least Matt
Dunn) proportions!
Regards
Andy
>===== Original Message From Accident and Emergency Academic List
<[log in to unmask]> =====
>I'm obtaining some work done by 'educationalists' in this field of
>assessment.
>I'll share ideas when I,ve looked at it.
>
>Thoughts about MCQ's - again 'educationalists' can contribute! Do MCQ's
>objectively assess competence? - I'm sure they test knowledge, and
>technique - not competency.
>
>Do people use OSCE's to assess competency at SHO level?
>What about skills lab based activities - esp for resus skills and team
>qualities?
>
>I agree with Steve that log books are clumsy....I don't think they are
>entirely objective. I remember my SpR log, usually signed at the end of
>attachment. 'Or, you've done that haven't you!'
>
>Anyone know of work done by FAEM on this subject of assessing competency?
>
>Kind regards
>
>Adrian Kerner
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