Positive effects of a clinical performance assessment program.

Publication/Presentation Date

8-1-1991

Abstract

Since 1986, there has been a clinical performance assessment program for fourth-year students at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Students interact with several standardized patients (SPs) and complete other tasks such as interpretation of electrocardiograms and interpretation of X-rays. Scores are generated both by checklists and rating forms completed by the SPs and by paperwork completed by the students at the end of each encounter. Since 1986, students have been asked how frequently they have been observed by faculty and residents as they interacted with actual patients; the students report that such observations have markedly increased. Since 1989, there has been increased feedback to students by the attending faculty during and following clinical rotations. Although it is difficult to claim cause and effect, it is clear that since the inception of this exercise, the faculty have made a conscious effort to improve students' clinical skills by providing increased observation and feedback.

Volume

66

Issue

8

First Page

481

Last Page

483

ISSN

1040-2446

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

1883435

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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