An evaluation system for an undergraduate clerkship in family medicine

In 1970, all final year medical students at the University of Ottawa were required to complete a four-week clerkship in family medicine. The original evaluation system being used consisted of an ongoing assessment by the students' preceptor and a terminal test. This method was unsatisfactory, resulting in four new criteria for the terminal test being established: (1) that it be objective, reproducible, and reliable; (2) that it assess attitudes toward the patient; (3) that it be flexible and not rigidly structured; and (4) that it simulate actual family practice as closely as possible. A new preceptor's evaluation form was also developed. With annual assessment of the evaluation method since 1973, numberous modifications have been introduced to meet the criteria originally sought. Use of a mark sense data entry system and packaged analysis programs have facilitated ongoing evaluation of the system. Currently the preceptor's evaluation form meets both educational and assessment requirements, and the terminal tests meet the criteria developed in 1971.