An evaluation of a formative assessment process used on post take ward rounds

The purpose of clinical training is to develop doctors capable of delivering professional, personal, effective, high quality, safe clinical care with Intelligent Kindness. The processes supporting training must promote development towards excellence. In 2004 a formative assessment process for use on medical post take ward rounds was introduced based on a model of a Driving Instructor and Learner Driver. This process has been evaluated in comparison with the Case based Discussion (CbD) and mini-Cex by 140 of 369 trainees, using online surveys. Ten trainees were interviewed in depth. The majority of trainees reported that this process had helped them more in their development as doctors than the CbD or mini-CEX. Trainees were able to describe positive effects in areas such as diagnosis, prescribing and confidence in their work. In the NHS the assessments are meant to be "trainee driven", however all but one of the trainees stated that they preferred the routine provision of an assessment to having to ask for an assessment. This evaluation of a truly formative assessment process shows that the trainees benefit in their progression towards clinical excellence. Effective formative feedback can be provided on an Acute Medical Unit even within the constraints of busy post take ward rounds. Within a team of Consultants one should be allowed time to develop an extended Clinical Supervisor role.