The WPBA is a continuous assessment throughout your training, it is made up of consultation observation tools (COTs) when in GP and mini clinical evaluation exercise (Mini CEX) when in hospital posts, directly observed clinical examination and procedural skills (CEPS) , multi source feedback (MSF) and patient satisfaction questionnaires (PSQs). These assessments are recorded in your e-portfolios, they are not pass or fail assessments, they are formative. Do not forget you need to learn so getting the comment ‘needs further development’ is normal early on in the scheme. You would need to demonstrate development over the 3 years and be shown to be competent for independent practice by CCT.
Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber:
RCGP:
Mini-CEX, CEPS and CbD gives you an opportunity to spend time with senior members of staff and get feedback directly and instantly from them. Written feedback will be provided from all assessment tools The strengths and areas for development shown in the feedback will help inform your personal development plan.
Case Based Discussion (CbD)
The Case-based Discussion (CbD) is a structured interview designed to assess your professional judgement in clinical cases. The cases will be chosen by you. CbD is one of the tools used to collect evidence for your Trainee ePortfolio, as part of the Workplace Based Assessment component of the MRCGP exam. In GP your trainer will complete the CbDs with you, in secondary care it is good practice to use your clinical supervisor.
Bradford VTS website has excellent information on CbD, this is useful for trainee and trainer.
Consultation Observation Tool (COTs)
(Primary Care only) Videoing your work is the best way to gather effective feedback and improve your consultation techniques. When you are working in a surgery ask about the provision for videoing. Set yourself goals for video consultations so that you have to do them. The more you do, the more help they are to your communication skills techniques.
Help and information from an excellent source can be found here on the Bradford VTS site.
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ)
When to do your PSQs
The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) provides patient feedback on your empathy and relationship-building skills during consultations. PSQ is one of the tools used to collect evidence for your Trainee ePortfolio, as part of the Workplace Based Assessment component of the MRCGP exam.
Questionnaires need to be handed out to 50 patients, who will fill the forms in which enable you to get direct feedback about your consultation skills. The results of the questionnaire will be recorded by the surgery and made viewable to your clinical and educational supervisors. You need to discuss your results with your clinical supervisor and record this information as a professional conversation in your E-portfolio.
Multi Source Feedback (MSF)
The Multi-Source Feedback (MSF) tool provides a sample of attitudes and opinions of colleagues on your clinical performance and professional behavior.
MSF in a GP ST1 post.
In a hospital post ST1 MSF you need to obtain at least 5 responses from clinicians with different job titles. However in GP ST1 you have to obtain 5 responses from clinicians and 5 from non-clinicians i.e. reception staff, secretaries, practice managers. These can be anyone who has observed you in the workplace.
The ES releases the results to become available within your e-portfolio, so that you and your clinical supervisor can see them. Discuss these results and reflect on them.