Abstract

Assessment of final year medical students in a simulated ward: developing content validity for an assessment instrument

Author(s): Dr Louisa M. McIlwaine,Dr J.P.G.McAleer,Dr Jean. S. Ker BSc,Dr Louisa M.McIlwaine

Performance assessment is becoming increasingly important in both undergraduate and postgraduate assessment. At present, the tools used to assess a medical student’s performance evaluate only their care for one patient at a time. The development of the simulated ward has provided an opportunity to assess how a final year medical student would perform caring for a variety of patients simultaneously in a realistic ward environment, without risk to patients. This paper describes the development of valid assessment criteria using a modified Delphi method.