The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Methods of Assessment in Relation to Medical Education - Essay Example

"A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 1 "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 2 Introduction In almost every aspect of our lives whether in our profession or in private lives, the gauge and pendulum of performance should not be taken for granted in terms of determining on how we deliver the things that are needed to satisfy different tasks. Primarily, the need for us to see the way we deliver the goods is essential for evaluation of performance in order to know the development of performance of a certain individual. Upon analyzing these things, instruments are used in order to know if there are developments in a performance or in knowing how things are going per se. In this case we tend to analyze things by means of assessment and appraisal. Assessment and appraisal seems to be synonymous with each other, however, they differ in gravity on how they are used in order to measure one's performance. The field of medicine is a field wherein one can say that assessment and appraisal should be present. We all know that this field requires intensive assessment and appraisal of different things in order to ensure how effective the medical program the practitioner had adopted or how the practitioner himself is effective. In such cases, medical education can also be an avenue in using this kind of measurement. As we can see, the field of medicine requires skills, dedication and passion in order to deliver its requirements. Medical practice is no joke, so as medical education, which is the root of the latter. What do assessment and appraisal do in order for a certain practitioner or a certain scenario to become better Can these two be a gauge in determining the performance or a scenario in the field of medical education These are but a few questions that encircle assessment and appraisal in medical education. "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 3 Content Assessment and appraisal is useful in medical education in a sense that these two as mentioned earlier is a tool for measuring the performance. However another question has arise, how can these two be utilized in measurement Weekpedia(2006) defined assessment as the process of documenting, usually in measurable terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs. This means that assessment has something to do with the documentation of different things that are done, statistics, developments of a phenomenon, achievents of a person and the likes. If we are to look in a deeper perspective, assessment is a great factor in Medical Education. As most pf us know, Medical Education is the path towards Medical practice. In doing such, taking down of important details, listing of different scenarios and monitoring developments such as an hourly check-up of blood pressure, taking-up vital information of patints or even instructions given by the Medical instructors. These practice is vital in medical education. In ralation to the aforementioned premise, in medical education, a variety of assesment tools are used for the accuracy and quality services with regards to documenting data in relation on Medical practices. The assesment tools are 360 Degree Evaluation Instrument, Chrast Stimulated Recall Oral Examination (CSR), Checklist Evaluation of Live or Rcorded Performance, Objective Structured Clinical Examination, Procedure Operatives or Case Logs, Patient Surveys, Record Review, Simulation and Models, Standardized patient exam and Written Exmaination- All of these are integral parts for the assessment tools needed for medical practice. If we are to scrutiize these "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 4 tools deeper, we may find out their importance with regards to medical education and medical practice per se. American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) (2000) described 360 degree evaluation instrument as an instrument consists of measurement tools completed by multiple people in person's sphere of influence. Usually done using questionaires, this is consists of different people sorrounding the patient or the subject of studies in order to know the personality and other related topics. On the other hand the CSR or Chart Stimulated Recall Oral examination according to website www.oucom.ohiou.edu (2006) stated that this tool is for the assessment of clinical problem-solving ability. This one is done to know the rationale of the information that is being acquired. The cheklist on the other hand is used in order to know the things that were done and commited during the period of gathering information. It is also used according to Winckel, Cohen and Taylor (1994) to know the desired behavior, steps or activities to make-up a more complex competency.This is used to counter-check if there are any irregularities with regards to the execution of plans and things that are in need to be attended. Another tool for assessment is called the Objective structure clinical examination wherein it is done to determine on how the student understand and comprehend the lessons or teachings within medical education. It is done by laying questions and the students must answer those questions objectivelyin order for them to be assesed with "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 5 regards to their performance and how they understand things with regards to medical education. The Global Rating tool is a special kind of tool wherein it is used to rate the special skills of a medical student rather than the behavior and skills. For example, the Tender Loving Care ability towards the patient best describes this tool. The patient surveys is a kind of surveys to asses the kind of services a certain hospital or medical institutions along with its personnel gives. Do they value patients and give them the much needed attention they desreve This are some of the questions that are tried to be answered in tackling this one. Probably, this is for some reasons, some hospitals do have suggestion boxes in their exiut doors. Tjhis is also used to know the patients feedback. Evans (2005) described simulations and models as a form of logical representaion of interralationships among elements of the description of the problem, this means that this one uses a for of a replica of problems that might occur and with this the thinking and the ability to respond on problems is enhanced. This sometimes is aided by the use of artificial people, cadaver and the likes. This is also used in order for the medical students to experience the real scenario in attending to some problems where medical attention is needed. The Standardized Patient Exam is done wherein people within the community will potray that they do have specific problems and medical students would respond in a "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 6 way that they will look into situation, try to attend the needs of patients with a meticulous, yet professional approach. Finally, the written exam is used to asses the student's theoretical knowledge with regards to different topics concerning his/her course requirement in medical education. This either done in essay tyoe, modified true or false with explanation, multiple choice with explanation and the likes. This is done in order to asses the theoretical capability of the student in handling sitiuation not only in terms of actual drills and exercises but through writen exercices. This tool is also effective as some of the non assertivein the actual side of the assesment student can showcase their theoretical ability in the form of written examination. If we are to analyze assessment is a form of documenting things that are done in either written or verbal. These tools are used to compute and analyze the capability of students in medical education on how they are faring with the demands of medical education. Secondly, in most of the tools, in order to assess their performance, students in medical education has to be in a certain team and they have to deal with different requirements in order to satisfy the needed output with regards with the rationale of the tool that is used. Assessment has something do on qualitative side as they are assessed with their output upon completing the requirement of a certain tool. It also tends to look into the "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 7 attitude and performance of the student while venturing into different kinds of assessment tool in order to know their capabilities and their competency in dealing with different problems and different challenges that a student in medical education must face. This kind of move is somewhat like a pendulum and parameter of the performance of the students with regards to their performance and the output of the works of the students. Assessment also serves as a guide and a grading sheet on how the students is doing their tasks and routines with regards to the demands of medical education. As we all know, medical education leads to medical practice that is why this kind of education must be treated with care. It is an establish fact that medical practice is not that easy and it may require intensive training and this kind of assessment will be of big help in achieving this. In closing, there are also three types of assessment, which can be found on http://www.iime.org (2006), and these are the following: Formative testing- a testing that is part of the developmental or ongoing teaching/learning process. It should include delivery of feedback to the student. Summative assessment- is testing which often occurs at the end of a term or course, used primarily to provide information about how much the student has learned and how well the course was taught. Criterion-referenced assessment- refers to testing against an absolute standard such as an individual's performance against a benchmark. "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 8 On the other hand, appraisal can also make an impact with regards to medical education. What is this appraisal Does it have any resemblance with assessment or they have differences Appraisal according to thefreedictionary.com (2006) is the classification of someone or something with respect to its worth. Meaning it is an act of giving worth and weight on a certain person regardless of the way that worth is acquired. If we are to look into it in a deeper perspective, it has a quantitative touch because it has something to do with the value of a certain individual. The aforementioned descriptions pertain to the literal meaning of appraisal. Does the literal meaning of it have something to do with the meaning of appraisal in medical education The Journal Patient Plus of the Patient Information Publication (2006) defined Appraisal as An annual professional development review process, for doctors working in the NHS. It is envisaged to help them meet the legal requirements for revalidation by the GMC. Introduced in 2002, it aims to give doctors a feedback to determine the past performance and present situation to establish educational and developmental process. Appraisal is done by group of appraisers in order to determine the value or effectiveness of a practitioner in his medical field. Like assessment, appraisal has different stages in order to determine the value of the medical practitioner while doing his medical duty. "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 9 The Primary step of this is the Preparation. In this stage, the doctor or practitioner that is to be assessed should be given notification with an enough time in order for him to prepare. In some journals and news paper (2006) the information exchange is deemed to be vital in appraisal. This is the moment wherein the information sheet and the paperwork to be used in the appraisal should be discussed by the appraiser and appraisee are discussed by both parties to ensure that the rules and the process of the appraisal are understood by both parties in order to prevent conflicts that may arise in the future due to miscommunications. This process should consist of problems that were encountered in the previous year and the solution that have been made in order to solve the problem. Different Doctors society journals such as that o f the Libyan Doctors Society (2006) agreed that "the interview plays a big role in appraisal because the essence of the appraisal is realized as well as the caliber of the doctor is gauged." Confidentiality also plays an important role in this as stated in the website http://www.patient.co.uk, that "One important factor contributing to mutual trust is confidentiality. The appraiser should ensure that all information on the appraisal is confidential, and is only accessible by the practitioner." Also in the documentation process should not be taken for granted as the health department of United Kingdom in their website www.doh.gov.uk have given guidelines "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 10 for the documentation process as it was deemed as "the key to the preparation, and form the basis of the appraisal statement." Prior to this in the late 1900's, Clark and MacIntyre (1978) defined appraisal as a process whereby physicians set down criteria and standards of patient care, prepare a summary of relevant health care activities derived from medical records and other sources of data, analyze the shortcomings discovered and design remedial programs. In appraisal approach, it doesn't only delve with the assessment or how the approaches in the field of medicine particularly in medical education but it focus on the resolution of the blunders that have been committed and untoward incident during the medical process. Appraisal is also an avenue where medical practitioners and students in medical education can explore new principle and practices will be in because of the exploration of new possibilities with regards to the blunders and errors in relation to the latter premise. In the site www.bma.uk.org it is stated that in United Kingdom, The board of medical education, a standing committee of the British Medical Association, provides an interface between the medical profession, the government, the educational sector, and the public. One aim of the board is to provide evidence of best practice and promote the highest standards of medical education. We can now see that in appraisal, there are alternatives that are being done in order not to sacrifice the quality of practice in the line of medical education. These are also done in order to ensure that there are plans and they would be executed well. Like in "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 11 the illustration above, the Medical association, government and the educational sector are working hand in hand to ensure that the essence of medical education would be served. Gagnier (2004) gives the same notion with regards to appraisal stating "appraisal is a process by which one uses predetermined criteria to rationally evaluate a published article, some intervention (therapeutic, diagnostic, prognostic, etc), or possibly an entire field of medical care." With due respect with what he had said, it is now clear that appraisal has something to do with weighing situations and making decisions, or perhaps the way how to perform tasks through the aide of different methodologies and materials with theoretical touch to perform tasks concerning medical practice. Appraisal may also include research in order to know ways on how to enhance different strategies with regards to application of medical practice. It is also somewhat a sort of giving a renewed perspective and image in medical education. This is somehow a way of making conventional approach with regards to medical practice. Appraisal is a sort of enhancement on how to solve problems in medical education through research and other related tasks in order to correct and make the approach better in terms of performing different tasks pertaining medical practice. If we to look into a deeper side, appraisal gives weigh in practicing medicine and further provide the credibility of medical practice that is being studied in medical education. "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 12 In order for medical practice to succeed, one must know the shortcomings, blunders and errors while performing their tasks. In this way, students in medical education can now be aware of the scenarios to avoid. Primarily, scrutiny of different medical literatures in order for medical practitioners to be guided and serves as basis on what to do in case there are problems that occurs while performing medical practice is a big help in order to face appraisal as a challenge in medical practice. It also helps not only the students that are taking-up medical education but also the ones who are practicing medicine. Appraisal is a big help to medical practice in solving problems in this field. It is also a factor in achieving different innovations in medical practice. It is also a guide on how to apply theoretical lessons and the likes. In appraisal, it is anticipated that literatures pertaining medical practice is needed to serve as reference or a thing that is needed in order to enhance one the capability of medical practice in addressing different trials while performing the task. Appraisal sometimes has to get the aide of assessment tools in some areas such as the tools that are mentioned earlier. Research is the main requirement of appraisal, as you have to read and scrutinize different vital information such as that is need and be able to keep those details needed in solving medical problems. "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 13 Conclusion Appraisal and assessment are vital tools in medical education. As we all know that people who are taking up medical education knows this. They often went through stressful and meticulous training just to satisfy the requirement of their study. Appraisal and assessment is somehow the check and balance in medical education that is a big help in the aforementioned undertakings. Assessment focuses on the qualitative side of medical study, which requires monitoring and listing-up developments to gather data that are vital to medical education. This also includes different tools to measure the capability of the student of medical education and people around him such as the patient, people in the community and the likes. This also includes Involvement of people within the community to be served as the area of study and of interest. This also means that Assessment relies on the performance of the one who is being assessed and his/her output while doing the tasks. However we cannot deny the fact that people that they are dealing with possess different personalities not to mention the community that they belong. This method will have a problem with regards to the cultural barrier wherein one cannot conclude based on the tools that were used only under the basis of a certain place with only specific kind of group. On the other hand Appraisal is a combination of qualitative and quantitative. Primarily, the Appraisal exists in order to find solutions on medical problems in a practical manner. Usually done by using books and other medical literature, the output of it relies on factual evidences on books and not on actual part like that of assessment. "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 14 Appraisal also finds the value of a certain thing to solve problems in medical practice. It also includes fusion of facts, ideas and other related things to satisfy the need of a certain medical problem. All in all Assessment and Appraisal are both important tools not only to medical education but also in the medical practice in general. These two are essential in the flow of medical tasks to be done with regards to medical education. Having these two would mean that the medical students who are exposed with these two would have an on hand knowledge of what it takes to be in Medical practice. These two are good sources of knowledge and information upon fulfilling the tasks of a certain medical education student in terms of theoretical and on-hand exposure. Assessment and Appraisal are synonymous in dictionary but they are different in terms of medical education. In order to find the real meaning of these two, you must find their essence and that essence pertains to the process on how medical education and practice one should understand that these two place a vital role in achieving the needed task in medical education. They also comprise and answer some jigsaw puzzle in medical practice as they tend to discuss the problem, how to face the problem and anticipation through appraisal and assessment. These two can make or unmake a certain medicine practitioner/student who is hopeful to make it. The two can also make or unmake a group or a certain individual and would depend on the performance of a certain researchers, the people involved and the patient that they handle and how the tools in assessment and appraisal are used. Assessment and Appraisal are created in order for medical education "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 15 and medical practitioner to satisfy the demands and works needed in the said course and their intended output "A disseration that defines and differentiates appraisal and assessment and discussess the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of assessment in relation to medical education" 16 References: 1)www.freeword.com 2)http://www.acgme.org/Outcome/assess/Toolbox.pdf#search='assessment%20in%20medical%20education' 3)http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/fd/7%20Comp%20PD%20Guide/Tab%203/Part%202%20AOA%20Core%20Competencies%20MAP%20tab%203%20doc%203.doc 4) Winckel CP , Reznik RK, Cohen R, Taylor B, Reliability and Construct Validity of a Structured Technical Skills Assesment Form. 1994, 167:432-27 5)Evans J. Spreadsheets as a tool for teaching simulations. 6) http://www.thefreedictionary.com/appraisal 7) Clark M.R. and MacIntyre K.A. (1978) 8) http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/content/appraisal 9) Gagnier, J (2004) http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/473327 10) http://www.iime.org/glossary.htm 11) Patient Plus Journal 2006 12) http://www.dh.gov.uk Read More