title: A qualitative study on trainees' and supervisors' perceptions of assessment for learning in postgraduate medical education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent changes in postgraduate medical training curricula usually encompass a shift towards more formative assessment, or assessment for learning. However, though theoretically well suited to postgraduate training, evidence is emerging that engaging in formative assessment in daily clinical practice is complex.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to explore trainees' and supervisors' perceptions of what factors determine active engagement in formative assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group study with postgraduate trainees and supervisors in obstetrics and gynaecology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three higher order themes emerged: individual perspectives on feedback, supportiveness of the learning environment and the credibility of feedback and/or feedback giver.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Engaging in formative assessment with a genuine impact on learning is complex and quite a challenge to both trainees and supervisors. Individual perspectives on feedback, a supportive learning environment and credibility of feedback are all important in this process. Every one of these should be taken into account when the utility of formative assessment in postgraduate medical training is evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Amphia Ziekenhuis, Langendijk 75, 4057 EV Breda, The Netherlands. mgk.dijksterhuis@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marja G K
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dijksterhuis
authors.forename: Lambert W T
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Schuwirth
authors.forename: Didi D M
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Braat
authors.forename: Pim W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Teunissen
authors.forename: Fedde
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scheele
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004777:Environment; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005246:Feedback; D017144:Focus Groups; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D007858:Learning; D010465:Perception; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research