Assessment, surgeon, and society.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Quality Assurance
• Professional Competence Assessment

Background:

• Growing public demand for physician and surgeon quality monitoring.
• Increased professional recognition of self-regulation and accountability needs.
• Significant advancements in the availability and quality of assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the drivers influencing changes in medical assessment.
• To outline factors critical for selecting appropriate assessment devices.
• To present a system for classifying available assessment methods.

Main Methods:

• Review of drivers of change in assessment, including educational outcomes, technology, and assessment advancements.
• Identification of key factors for selecting assessment tools.
• Classification of various assessment methods.
• Focused review of emerging trends: simulation, workplace-based assessment, and assessment of new competences.

Main Results:

• Identified key drivers shaping the evolution of assessment practices.
• Established criteria for effective selection of assessment tools.
• Categorized a range of assessment methodologies.
• Highlighted the potential of simulation, workplace-based assessment, and new competence assessment.

Conclusions:

• Assessment is crucial for establishing and maintaining physician and surgeon competence.
• Technological and educational advancements are driving innovation in assessment.
• Emerging trends like simulation and workplace-based assessment show significant promise for future practice.