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Original Research
Workplace-based assessment in South African postgraduate medical training: A baseline survey
Submitted: 10 May 2024 | Published: 21 November 2024
About the author(s)
Tasleem Ras, Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaEmma Daitz, Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Louis S. Jenkins, Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Jacques Janse van Rensburg , Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Madeleine Muller, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa
Veena Singaram, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, eThekwini,, South Africa
Richard Cooke, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sumaiya Adam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
Dini Mawela, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Tshwane, South Africa
Gerda Botha, Practice of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Tshwane, South Africa
Thakadu Mamashela, Department of Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
Tashneem Harris, Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Eric Buch, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, Rondebosch, South Africa
Lionel Green-Thompson, SA Committee of Medical Deans and Deanery, South Africa
Vanessa Burch, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, Rondebosch, South Africa
Abstract
Background: In line with international best practices, the South African Committee of Medical Deans, supported by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, has called for institutions educating medical specialists to start integrating workplace-based assessment (WBA) in 2025. Workplace-based assessment requires that clinical supervisors observe trainees in the real world of clinical practice, provide feedback and foster reflective practice, while foregrounding patient safety. Despite a large literature on WBA in the global north and an emerging literature in South Africa, a framework for WBA implementation, grounded in South African realities, does not exist. The study aimed to determine current WBA-related knowledge and practices among registrar educators.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study, using an online 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, explored current knowledge and practices of WBA-related activities. The questionnaire variables were categorical, and the data were analysed descriptively. Frequencies, proportions and appropriate graphics were used to present the data.
Results: The key findings relate to relatively high levels of knowledge of what constitutes WBA (82.5% agreed that they had knowledge of WBA), juxtaposed against large variability in the levels of implementation of WBA practices.
Conclusion: The study surveyed postgraduate supervisors in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) context regarding their understanding and current practices of WBA. Self-reported knowledge levels were high while practices were variable
Contribution: The study provides insights into areas to focus on, with the future development and implementation of a comprehensive WBA strategy in South Africa.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
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