Back to Search
Start Over
Assessment in postgraduate dental education: an evaluation of strengths and weaknesses.
- Source :
-
Medical Education . Jun2001, Vol. 35 Issue 6, p537-543. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2001
-
Abstract
- Introduction This paper describes a study designed to evaluate assessment in postgraduate dental education in England, identifying strengths and weaknesses and focusing specifically on its relevance, consistency and cost-effectiveness. Methods A four-phase qualitative method was used: a mapping of current career paths, assessment policy, and issues (phase 1); more detailed studies of the practice of assessment for a range of courses, and the systemic/management perspective of assessment (i.e. quality assurance) (phases 2 and 3), and analysis and reporting (phase 4). Data were analysed from documents, interviews, group consultations and observations. Results and discussion Five key issues may be distilled from the findings: (i) lack of formal assessment of general professional training; (ii) trainer variation in assessment; (iii) the extent to which assessments are appropriate indicators of later success; (iv) the relationship between assessment and patient care, and (v) data to assess the costs of assessment. Conclusion Current assessment procedures might be improved if consideration is given to: assessment which supports an integrated period of general professional training; training for trainers and inspection procedures to address variation; more authentic assessments, based directly on clinical work and grading cases and posts, and better data on allocation of resources, in particular clinicians’ time given to assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03080110
- Volume :
- 35
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Medical Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 4537817
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2001.00923.x