Competency-based tool for evaluation of community-based training in undergraduate medical education in India – a Delphi approach
The authors attempted to develop a tool that uses a competency-based approach for assessment of CBT
Abstract
Introduction
A community-based training (CBT) program, where teaching and training are carried out in the community outside of the teaching hospital, is a vital part of undergraduate medical education. Worldwide, there is a shift to competency-based training, and CBT is no exception. The authors attempted to develop a tool that uses a competency-based approach for assessment of CBT.
Methods
Based on a review on competencies, they prepared a preliminary list of major domains with items under each domain. They used the Delphi technique to arrive at a consensus on this assessment tool. The Delphi panel consisted of 8 purposively selected experts from the field of community medicine. The panel rated each item for its relevance, sensitivity, specificity, and understandability on a scale of 0–4. Median ratings were calculated at the end of each round and shared with the panel. Consensus was predefined as when 70% of the experts gave a rating of 3 or above for an item under relevance, sensitivity, and specificity. If an item failed to achieve consensus after being rated in 2 consecutive rounds, it was excluded. Anonymity of responses was maintained.
Results
The panel arrived at a consensus at the end of 3 rounds. The final version of the self-assessment tool consisted of 7 domains and 74 items. The domains (number of items) were Public health – epidemiology and research methodology (13), Public health – biostatistics (6), Public health administration at primary health center level (17), Family medicine (24), Cultural competencies (3), Community development and advocacy (2), and Generic competence (9). Each item was given a maximum score of 5 and minimum score of 1.
Conclusion
This is the first study worldwide to develop a tool for competency-based evaluation of CBT in undergraduate medical education. The competencies identified in the 74-item questionnaire may provide the base for development of authentic curricula for CBT.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Shewade HD, Jeyashree K, Kalaiselvi S, Palanivel C, Panigrahi KC. Competency-based tool for evaluation of community-based training in undergraduate medical education in India - a Delphi approach. Advances in Medical Education and Practice. 2017;8:277–86.