COURSE-BASED ASSESSMENT - IMPLEMENTING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT IN MEDICAL-EDUCATION

Rapid, intensive change in the health care system requires a change in how the outcomes of medical education are measured, The post-Flexner model of evaluating the institution focuses on teaching (rather than l earning) and is not relevant to ambulatory training. Medical education needs to use assessment that focuses on student learning, can respond quickly to changes, and is continuously refined by use of information about students' abilities. Course-based assessment is a systematic wa y to gather, analyze, disseminate, and use course data to improve stud ent learning, and it is well suited to current trends in health profes sions education. The authors present and discuss six principles of eff ective outcome assessment in medical education and illustrate these pr inciples from their experience of using this type of assessment in a p re-clinical course integrating basic science, social science, and clin ical skills. Courses and programs for medical students and residents s hould use course-based assessment to ensure that medical trainees acqu ire the skills and attitudes needed to practice medicine well. The ne? rt challenge for medical educators is to implement course-based assess ment. that is intimately tied to a broader institutional plan.