Evaluation of Professional Role Competency During Psychiatry Residency

Abstract

The authors sought to determine psychiatry residents' perceptions on the current method of evaluating professional role competency and the use of multi-source feedback (MSF) as an assessment tool. Authors disseminated a structured, anonymous survey to 128 University of Toronto psychiatry residents, evaluating the current mode of assessment of the professional role and the use of MSF. The overall response rate was 86%. Fewer than half (44%) of residents felt that their professional role is adequately evaluated, and 84% were in favor of incorporating MSF for the evaluation of this competency. Respondents believed their primary supervisor should have the largest proportional impact on the evaluation (50%), followed by allied heath staff (19%), patients (16%), co-residents (12%), self (11%), and administrative staff (9%). On the basis of this needs assessment and the Royal College recommendations, MSF may be considered a potential assessment tool for evaluating psychiatry residents in their professional role.