Assessment and Change: An Exploration of Documented Assessment Activities and Outcomes by Canadian Psychiatrists

Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada are required to participate in assessment activities for all new 5-year cycles beginning on or after January 2014 to meet the maintenance of certification program requirements. This study examined the assessment activities which psychiatrists reported in their maintenance of certification e-portfolios to determine the types and frequency of activities reported; the resultant learning, planned learning, and/or changes to the practice they planned or implemented; and the interrelationship between the types of assessment activities, learning that was affirmed or planned, and changes planned or implemented.

A total of 5000 entries from 2195 psychiatrists were examined. A thematic analysis drawing on the framework analysis was undertaken of the 2016 entries.

There were 3841 entries for analysis; 1159 entries did not meet the criteria for assessment. The most commonly reported activities were self-assessment programs, feedback on teaching, regular performance reviews, and chart reviews. Less frequent were direct observation, peer supervision, and reviews by provincial medical regulatory authorities. In response to the data, psychiatrists affirmed that their practices were appropriate, identified gaps they intended to address, planned future learning, and/or planned or implemented changes. The assessment activities were internally or externally initiated and resulted in no or small changes (accommodations and adjustments) or redirections.

Psychiatrists reported participating in a variety of assessment activities that resulted in variable impact on learning and change. The study underscores the need to ensure that assessments being undertaken are purposeful, relevant, and designed to enable identification of outcomes that impact practice.