Evaluating the evaluation system

Abstract

T he making of a doctor comprises of a multitude of factors. Professional knowledge, skills, relationship towards patients and peers and lastly attitude towards life and the profession are a few hallmarks of being a successful doctor.As teachers of medicine it is our duty to see that a competent individual steps out into society with these aforementioned trademarks.However the question arises, how do we evaluate these attributes?Our current examination system is old fashioned with focus on evaluation of the candidates' quantifi able knowledge that is of text books alone.So what are the other aspects we should be looking into?First of all the most important aspect of any evaluation is transparency and "near close reproducibility". However transparency has to be maintained by the evaluation system, not only of the candidate being evaluated, but the evaluator as well. This process should be both objective as well as subjective. As stated earlier assessing safe medical personnel is not only assessment of quantifi able knowledge, but that of qualitative attitude and behaviour.It is harsh in the end of the course to evaluate a candidate unsuccessful on these grounds. Thus it is very important that an ideal screening at the time of admission is framed to ensure that the correct candidates enter the programme.Planting the right seed yields a fruitful crop.This obviously is not possible all the time in the real world thus a second intervention at the fi rst university hurdle examination would be a kinder supportive way to fi lter the candidate not suitable for the medical carrier. Assessing their strong attributes and then encouraging them to pursue another career or path at this stage would be more supportive then ensuring that they move on to the second and third stage only to succumb to failure.Thus it is mandatory that we limit the number of attempts to three. This procedural rule needs to be stressed strongly at the time of admission.Failing to secure a pass in the fi rst university examination should not result in penalty of loosing six months. This results in low moral and self esteem in a candidate who is already unsure of him or herself with further compounding effect. Rather a second attempt within three months, allowing the candidate to continue with his or her batch would be a kinder way to treat individuals.However if he or she was to fail again then the third and last attempt should be planned with the junior batch thus ensuring that the candidate continues with a regular batch. This would remove the dogma as well as the need of a compartmental batch.With this background I can only emphasize the advantage of a common entrance at the time of admission. This entrance needs to be handled by an entirely independent body preferably the Medical Council .A body that will have no benefi t over the selection of any candidate. A similar approach for postgraduate programme would be equally credible.This would ensure elimination of induction of corruption. This would also ensure that nepotism that does exist would be b...

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