Review of mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) in a psychiatry clerkship

Abstract

BackgroundDirect observation of medical students with actual patients is important for the assessment of clinical skills including interviewing and counseling skills. This article describes medical students’ experience of mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) during their clerkship in consultation psychiatry.Materials and methodsIn our center during inpatient consultation psychiatry clerkship, all rotating students are expected to complete one mini-CEX assessment as part of their clinical training. We conducted retrospective analysis of mini-CEX ratings completed from 2013 to 2016. All evaluations took place at inpatient medical setting in patients admitted with medical conditions and psychiatric comorbidities.ResultsA total of 113 evaluations were reviewed. The time examiner observed the interaction of a student with the patient was 14.24 minutes (mean), and the time spent in providing feedback to the student was 9.71 minutes. Complexity of problem was rated as low in 0.88% (n=1), moderate in 50.44% (n=57), and high in 48.67% (n=55). Highest ratings were for professionalism, similar to previous reports. Total score calculated by examiner showed no difference by the complexity of the patient; however, we observed a trend in higher counseling score for the high complexity group.ConclusionMini-CEX assessment during busy clerkship is feasible with good outcomes. Direct observation of medical trainees with actual patients is important for the assessment of performance-based clinical skills. Hospital psychiatry rotation covering various medical and surgical units offers a great opportunity for exposure in patient communication.

Review and Application of the Mini‐Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini‐CEX) in Advanced Orthodontic Education: A Pilot Study

“…In our pilot study, the highest mean Mini‐CEX scores for these orthodontic residents were in the organization/efficiency domain, indicating that they were able to prioritize their findings and construct a differential diagnosis and treatment plan in a systematic manner. However, studies with medical trainees found that professionalism was the domain with the highest mean scores 17, 18 . These differences could be attributed to the difference between medical and dental education methodologies, settings, and procedures evaluated.…”

“…However, studies with medical trainees found that professionalism was the domain with the highest mean scores. 17,18 These diferences could be attributed to the diference between medical and dental education methodologies, settings, and procedures evaluated. The lowest mean scores in our study were in the clinical judgment domain.…”

Mini-clinical evaluation exercise as a tool for formative assessment of postgraduates in psychiatry

“…[ 10 15 ] It can be, therefore, implied that mini-CEX as a tool has good acceptability and feasibility, as suggested by the feedback responses, and this substantiates the findings of earlier studies. [ 6 7 8 10 16 17 ]…”

“…To best of our efforts, we could identify only three studies in this regard. [ 6 7 8 ] Hence, we planned to take up this study.…”

A study to assess impact of teaching proper case history taking of the most common psychiatric disorder - Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in Interns

“…The emphasis on counselling included student's interaction with the patient professionally (introduced himself/herself, maintained good eye contact) and education (explained the rationale for test/treatment). After the interview, the examiner (attending) completed the rating form and provided feedback [54]. Psychological aspects of medical care give an additional opportunity for hospital psychiatry, and the internship offers interpersonal experiences of the clinical encounter and medical care [55].…”