Simulation vs workplace-based assessment in resuscitation: a cross-specialty descriptive analysis and comparison

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.73692

Abstract

Background: Simulation-based assessment can complement workplace-based assessment of rare or difficult to assess Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). We aimed to compare the use of simulation-based assessment for resuscitation-focused EPAs in three postgraduate medical training programs and describe faculty perceptions of simulation-based assessment.

Methods: EPA assessment scores and setting (simulation or workplace) were extracted from 2017-2020 for internal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgical foundations residents at the transition to discipline and foundations of discipline stages. A questionnaire was distributed to clinical competency committee members.

Results: Eleven percent of EPA assessments were simulation-based. The proportion of simulation-based assessment did not differ between programs but differed between transition (38%) and foundations (4%) stages within surgical foundations only. Entrustment scores differed between settings in emergency medicine at the transition level only (simulation: 4.82 ± 0.60 workplace: 3.74 ± 0.93). 70% of committee members (n=20) completed the questionnaire. Of those that use simulation-based assessment, 45% interpret them differently than workplace-based assessments. 73% and 100% trust simulation for high-stakes and low-stakes assessment, respectively.

Conclusions: The proportion of simulation-based assessment for resuscitation focused EPAs did not differ between three postgraduate medical training programs. Interpretation of simulation-based assessment data between committee members was inconsistent. All respondents trust simulation-based assessment for low-stakes, and the majority for high-stakes assessment. These findings have practical implications for the integration simulation into programs of assessment.

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Author Biographies

Stephen Gauthier, Queen's University

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine

Boris Zevin, Queen's University

Associate Professor and SEAMO Medical Education Scholar, Department of Surgery

Andrew K Hall, University of Ottawa

Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine

Timothy Chaplin, Queen's University

Assistant Professor and Simulation Lead, Department of Emergency Medicine

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Published

2023-02-20

How to Cite

1.
Seed JD, Gauthier S, Zevin B, Hall AK, Chaplin T. Simulation vs workplace-based assessment in resuscitation: a cross-specialty descriptive analysis and comparison. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2023 Feb. 20 [cited 2024 Nov. 4];14(3):92-8. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/73692

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