Examinations and assessment of training

Abstract

Summary Examinations are imperfect instruments for assessing the level of safety-related knowledge and skills. About 15% of the essay questions in the first eight papers of the new Part 1 of the FFARCS have been relevant to this objective. Also in Part 1 half of a viva is devoted to questions on equipment; the focus on the safety aspects can be maintained only by exhortation to the examiners. There is no official monitoring of the content or conduct of these vivas. The appropriateness of the routine behaviour of trainees can be assessed only within the training and working environment. This assessment cannot be done entirely without bias, and it would not be appropriate to incorporate such an assessment as part of the examination structure. However, the duty to consider it formally should be placed on approved training hospitals and evidence required that it is being undertaken effectively. The emphasis on impartial examinations seems to have deflected attention away from the necessity for assessments which aim to detect those aspects of acquired behaviour which are vital to safe practice. The apparent lack of a lead on this is a significant failure by the College of Anaesthetists in the UK from whom many other similar bodies throughout the Western world take their lead.