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Workplace-based assessments (WBAs)
WBAs are formative assessment tools used in the Fellowship Program to provide effective structured feedback to trainees in the workplace.
The feedback is intended to:
- indicate how the trainee is progressing
- help with planning for future learning
- inform supervisors' assessment of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).
WBAs are typically conducted during regular supervision time and are a way to focus feedback on performance in the workplace, for example, when a supervisor engages in a case-based discussion with a trainee or observes a trainee during clinical practice or giving a presentation. As the feedback provided with each WBA indicates how a trainee is progressing, WBAs should be undertaken from early on in a rotation.
There is no limit to the number of WBAs that you can undertake.
There are 5 different Workplace-based assessments:
Case-based discussion
A discussion based on case notes and other relevant written correspondence to assess your clinical reasoning and decision making, and your ability to document the integration of medical knowledge within case management.
More about the case-based discussion
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
A clinical encounter with a real patient where you will be observed by your supervisor, with a focus on specific clinical tasks.
Observed Clinical Activity
An initial clinical assessment of a real patient observed by your supervisor, followed by a presentation of the assessment and corresponding treatment plan to your supervisor.
Professional Presentation
Give a professional presentation to an audience, observed by your supervisor.
More about the Professional Presentation
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Conduct a procedural skill such as ECT or a physical exam, under observation of your supervisor.
How WBAs relate to attaining an EPA
Supervisors use your performance in the WBAs together with other information to assess whether you can attain a particular Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA).
Supervision
A WBA can be assessed by your principal supervisor or any other College-accredited supervisor. The supervisor must be familiar with the use of the specified WBA tool and must also be clinically competent in the area of psychiatry being assessed.
Assessment
WBAs are assessed on a 3-point rating scale. For each criteria, ratings are given relative to the standard expected at the end of the stage of training:
- below the standard for end of stage
- meets the standard for end of stage
- above the standard for end of stage.
The mid-point of the scale represents the expected standard on completion of the stage.
The standard for each stage is described in the Developmental Descriptors [PDF; 234 KB].
For each WBA, a form is completed by the supervisor together with the trainee although the feedback aspect is the most important part of the assessment.
Form management
In most cases, WBAs should be recorded in InTrain.
The WBAs (number and type) used to attain each EPA are noted on the end-of-rotation ITA Form. With the exception of the OCA forms, it is not necessary to attach WBA forms to the end-of-rotation ITA Form.
