What do trainee doctors and their trainers say about workplace based assessments? A survey of UK based junior doctors and their supervisors in a rural hospital

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Purpose: To determine the opinion of recently-qualified trainee doctors and their assessors on workplace based assessments in postgraduate training in one UK rural hospital. Design: Two 10-item questionnaires (one for trainers and one for trainees) were completed anonymously by 22 trainers conducting the review and 17 trainees (postgraduate year 1 & 2) in the Northern Devon Hospital. Results: Most supervisors had formal medical education training (68%) and in giving structured feedback to trainees (82%). Most trainers (81%) spent 10 - 20 minutes on the assessment and almost all (95%) conducted it through face-to-face meeting. Most trainers (67%) believed that the assessment was useful for facilitating feedback, determining engagement with the training programme and assisting a poorly performing trainee (52%). Eighty-two percent of trainers believed the assessment was a good use of their time. Poor IT service and lack of time (50%) were believed to be the biggest challenges for trainers. Trainees rated the assessment useful for engagement with the training programme (94%), assessment of overall performance (88%), recording training and achievements (88%) and allowing structured feedback (82%). Most trainees believed feedback helped boost their confidence (58%) and made them reflect on their performance (52%). A majority (52%) found it easy to arrange the assessment and many were satisfied with the process (76%). Conclusion: This study provides insight into an important workplace based assessment for the first time. A majority of trainees and trainers viewed the assessment useful. This survey suggests that good IT infrastructure and protected time for trainers could improve the quality of the process and its outcome.