The implementation of a mobile problem-specific electronic CEX for assessing directly observed student-patient encounters.
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.
Ferenchick
Gary S
GS
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. Gary.ferenchick@ht.msu.edu
Foreback
Jami
J
Towfiq
Basim
B
Kavanaugh
Kevin
K
Solomon
David
D
Mohmand
Asad
A
D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods*; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D018961:Educational Technology; D006801:Humans; D019370:Observation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D013337:Students, Medical