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The use of computerized patient management problems in a certifying examination
Medical Education
|May 1, 1976
Summary
The 1974 paediatric certification process introduced Computer-based Performance Measurement Programs (CPMPs) alongside traditional exams. Candidates found CPMPs superior for assessing clinical skills, proving feasible and equitable.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Paediatric Assessment
- Professional Certification
Background:
- The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's 1974 paediatric certification process.
- Inclusion of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), orals, and four Computer-based Performance Measurement Programs (CPMPs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation and candidate perception of the new CPMP examination format.
- To compare the effectiveness of CPMPs against traditional assessment methods in paediatric certification.
Main Methods:
- Administered CPMPs to 160 candidates across eight Canadian cities simultaneously.
- Collected candidate feedback on the examination's effectiveness and fairness.
- Correlated results from CPMPs with MCQs and orals.
Main Results:
- CPMPs were perceived by candidates as a better measure of clinical skills compared to MCQs.
- The CPMP examination was found to be equitable for French-speaking candidates.
- The examination proved economically feasible and maintained good security.
Conclusions:
- CPMPs offer a valuable addition to paediatric certification, effectively assessing clinical competence.
- The new examination format demonstrated feasibility, equity, and security.
- Each assessment method (MCQ, orals, CPMP) measures distinct aspects of paediatric competence.