[The training of specialists at the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social. Towards a new evaluation system]

We present the new system for the evaluation of the medical specialization courses at the IMSS which will substitute in 2005 the one used at present. This system derives from a participative conception of education and has as an axis the development of aptitudes. For participative education, knowledge is the result of the student's elaboration, and not the result of the consumption of information. An aptitude is the conjunction of knowledge, abilities and attitudes in a constant development which gives the bearer experience a growing penetration to understand the problematic situations that challenge him, a greater reach of the decisions and actions performed and progressive pertinence to positively influence the working environment. The new evaluation system is centered in the development of two types of aptitude: the clinical aptitude and the aptitude for the appropriate use of information sources. It has an explanatory and instructions section, as well as four types of forms: (a) evaluation of the aptitudes development through time. (b) Performance of activities (in the service and academic) related with the aptitudes seeking to develop. (c) Evaluation of the academic and working environment, and (d) self evaluation. With the new system of evaluation of the formation of medical specialists we pretend to contribute to the overcoming of the educative labors at the Institute, by orienting the professors' and students' reflection towards the main aspects of learning, as well as promote the criticism and self-criticism.