A systematic approach toward building a fully operational clinical competency committee

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Competency Assessment

Background:

• Minimal guidelines exist for clinical competency committees (CCCs) in graduate medical education.
• Variability in surgical residency program size and structure necessitates flexible CCC implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address common considerations for establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for CCCs.
• To outline benefits of SOPs, including consistency, productivity, quality control, and transparency.

Main Methods:

• Recommendations provided for prereview, resident milestone review, and postreview processes.
• Key components discussed: cultural shifts, committee membership, evidence assessment, and dissemination.
• Example scenarios included to illustrate practical application.

Main Results:

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for CCCs can improve internal consistency and efficiency.
• Structured processes facilitate training and cross-training for faculty and residents.
• Transparency in review processes is enhanced through clear procedures.

Conclusions:

• Implementation of CCCs and milestones offers opportunities to enhance decision-making for resident progression.
• Challenges are anticipated during CCC and milestones implementation, requiring a long-term perspective.
• A phased approach to implementing milestones is recommended for successful integration.