Module 11: Clinical Evaluation

Checklist Evaluation

A checklist is a list of specific behaviors, activities or steps that make up a more complex competency. The evaluator observes the student and records if and to what degree the specific behaviors or activities occurred. Checklists are useful for evaluating any competency that can be broken down into specific behaviors or actions. They have been useful in evaluating patient care skills (history and physical, procedural skills), and providing feedback on these skills.

Development of checklists requires consensus of experts about the essential behaviors or actions, and the criteria for their successful completion. When observers are trained, consistent and reliable scores can be obtained. The Mini-CEX used by internal medicine is a good example of a checklist evaluation.

To test a resident's knowledge of a procedure you might use what kind of test? To test a resident's ability to perform a procedure you might use what kind of test? To evaluate the resident's performance in all aspects of clinical care at midyear, you would use what kind of evaluation?