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. 2010 Jan 29:15.
doi: 10.3402/meo.v15i0.4276.

The implementation of a mobile problem-specific electronic CEX for assessing directly observed student-patient encounters

Gary S Ferenchick  1 , Jami Foreback, Basim Towfiq, Kevin Kavanaugh, David Solomon, Asad Mohmand
Affiliations

The implementation of a mobile problem-specific electronic CEX for assessing directly observed student-patient encounters

Gary S Ferenchick et al. Med Educ Online. .

Abstract

Background: Facilitating direct observation of medical students' clinical competencies is a pressing need.

Methods: We developed an electronic problem-specific Clinical Evaluation Exercise (eCEX) based on a national curriculum. We assessed its feasibility in monitoring and recording students' competencies and the impact of a grading incentive on the frequency of direct observations in an internal medicine clerkship. Students (n = 56) at three clinical sites used the eCEX and comparison students (n = 56) at three other clinical sites did not. Students in the eCEX group were required to arrange 10 evaluations with faculty preceptors. Students in the second group were required to document a single, faculty observed 'Full History and Physical' encounter with a patient. Students and preceptors were surveyed at the end of each rotation.

Results: eCEX increased students' and evaluators' understanding of direct-observation objectives and had a positive impact on the evaluators' ability to provide feedback and assessments. The grading incentive increased the number of times a student reported direct observation by a resident preceptor.

Conclusions: eCEX appears to be an effective means of enhancing student evaluation.

Keywords: clinical clerkship; clinical competence; computers; handheld; internal medicine; medical; observation; students.

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Figures

<i>Fig. 1</i>.
Fig. 1.
Some screen shots of the eCEX evaluation tool.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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