Direct Observation of Students during Clerkship Rotations: A Multiyear Descriptive Study

It is reflected that these observations may actually be occurring quite infrequently, if at all, and decreasing the evaluative weight of faculty and resident ratings during the clerkship rotation may be necessary.

Abstract

Although alternative assessments of clinical skills are becoming more common in medical education, faculty ratings based on direct observation are still prominent. The data in this study reflect that these observations may actually be occurring quite infrequently, if at all. Decreasing the evaluative weight of faculty and resident ratings during the clerkship rotation may be necessary. Otherwise, efforts should be made to increase the validity of these ratings.