A novel workplace-based assessment for competency-based decisions and learner feedback

Background: Increased recognition of the importance of competency-based education and assessment has led to the need for practical and reliable methods to assess relevant skills in the workplace. Methods: A novel milestone-based workplace assessment system was implemented in 15 pediatrics residency programs. The system provided: (1) web-based multisource feedback (MSF) and structured clinical observation (SCO) instruments that could be completed on any computer or mobile device; and (2) monthly feedback reports that included competency-level scores and recommendations for improvement. Results: For the final instruments, an average of five MSF and 3.7 SCO assessment instruments were completed for each of 292 interns; instruments required an average of 4-8 min to complete. Generalizability coefficients >0.80 were attainable with six MSF observations. Users indicated that the new system added value to their existing assessment program; the need to complete the local assessments in addition to the new assessments was identified as a burden of the overall process. Conclusions: Outcomes - including high participation rates and high reliability compared to what has traditionally been found with workplace-based assessment - provide evidence for the validity of scores resulting from this novel competency-based assessment system. The development of this assessment model is generalizable to other specialties.