Objective: Work Place-Based Assessments (WPBAs) were introduced into psychiatry along with the new curriculum in 2005. The Royal College of Psychiatrists decided to pilot several WPBAs to ascertain their suitability.
Method: Eight types of assessments (Case-Based Discussion, Assessment of Clinical Expertise, Mini-Assessed Clinical Encounter, Mini-Peer Assessment Tool, Direct Observations of Procedural Skills, Patient Satisfaction Questionnaires, Case Conference, and Journal Club Presentation) were piloted, either singly or in combination, on 16 sites, with 600 psychiatric trainees.
Results: Consultant psychiatrists carried out most of the assessments. Case-Based Discussion was the most popular, and high levels of correlation were obtained across several assessment tools.
Conclusion: There is evidence that with suitable training of assessors and trainees, WPBAs can be introduced and are feasible in assessing some competencies.