Multi-observer Assessment of Trainee Dentists

Abstract

Multi-observer assessment involves the assessment of a personʼs work behavior by more than one colleague at the same time for the purpose of human resource development and capacity building. In the medical field, multi-observer assessment is employed to provide formative feedback during regular one-on-one meetings in order to increase the professional competence of medical residents, but it is rarely used in dental medicine. This report describes multi-observer assessment of the performance of trainee dentists at cooperative-type facilities. A total of 70 trainee dentists were assessed in the present study.For method of an investigation, a supervising dentist, a dental hygienist, and a receptionist assessed the professionalism and communication skills of the trainee dentists. There were significant differences of the average scores of assessment about the professionalism of the trainee dentist by all reviewers (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the average scores assigned by the supervising dentist and the dental hygienist (r = 0.62, p < 0.001,), as well as between the scores assigned by the dentist and receptionist (r = 0.53, p < 0.001,) or the dental hygienist and receptionist (r = 0.78, p < 0.001). These results suggest that there is a strong correlation between assessment by dentists, dental hygienists, and receptionists. The assessment that includes the perspective of the healthcare service recipients (patients) is needed in the future.

Correlation between Assignments for Professionalism of the Post-graduate Clinical Competency Evaluation and the Pre-graduate Objective Structured Clinical Achievement Test in Dental Education

“…This is based on the global standards proposed by the World Federation for Medical Education (1,2). Cross-sectional studies for each period have been reported regarding education at the pre-graduate clinical practical training and post-graduate clinical training levels (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). However, no studies on a clinical competency examination as an overall evaluation at the end of pregraduate clinical practical training and at the end of OSCAT as a pilot study with the objective of establishing a clinical competency evaluation for professionalism in dental education.…”

Effectiveness of Computer-Based Testing Workshops in Dental Education

“…However, evaluation methods vary widely; for example, one learner assessment tool, work-based assessment(WBA), is the method primarily used at medical sites (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”