The education passport: connecting programmatic assessment across learning and practice

Eric J Warm; Carol  Carraccio; Matthew  Kelleher; Benjamin  Kinnear; Daniel J Schumacher; Sally Santen

doi:10.36834/cmej.73871

Authors

Eric J Warm University of Cincinnati https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6088-2434
Carol Carraccio University of Cincinnati https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5473-8914
Matthew Kelleher University of Cincinnati
Benjamin Kinnear University of Cincinnati https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0052-4130
Daniel J Schumacher Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3747-2410
Sally Santen University of Cincinnati https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8327-8002

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.73871

Abstract

Competency-based medical education (CBME) shifts us from static assessment of learning to developmental assessment for learning. However, implementation challenges associated with CBME remain a major hurdle, especially after training and into practice. The full benefit of developmental assessment for learning over time requires collaboration, cooperation, and trust among learners, regulators, and the public that transcends each individual phase. The authors introduce the concept of an “Education Passport” that provides evidence of readiness to travel across the boundaries between undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and the expanse of practice.

The Education Passport uses programmatic assessment, a process of collecting numerous low stakes assessments from multiple sources over time, judging these data using criterion-referencing, and enhancing this with coaching and competency committees to understand, process, and accelerate growth without end. Information in the Passport is housed on a cloud-based server controlled by the student/physician over the course of training and practice. These data are mapped to various educational frameworks such Entrustable Professional Activities or milestones for ease of longitudinal performance tracking. At each stage of education and practice the student/physician grants Passport access to all entities that can provide data on performance. Database managers use learning analytics to connect and display information over time that are then used by the student/physician, their assigned or chosen coaches, and review committees to maintain or improve performance. Global information is also collected and analyzed to improve the entire system of learning and care.

Developing a true continuum that embraces performance and growth will be a long-term adaptive challenge across many organizations and jurisdictions and will require coordination from regulatory and national agencies. An Education Passport could also serve as an organizing tool and will require research and high-value communication strategies to maximize public trust in the work.

Author Biographies

Matthew Kelleher, University of Cincinnati

Matthew Kelleher MD, MEd is Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, and Associate Program Director, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Benjamin Kinnear, University of Cincinnati

Benjamin. Kinnear MD, MEd is associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, and associate program director, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio. ORCID

Daniel J Schumacher, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Daniel J. Schumacher MD, PhD, is associate professor of pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

Sally Santen, University of Cincinnati

Sally Santen MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Education, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Ohio

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