Introduction of Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise as an Assessment Tool for M.B.B.S. Interns in the Department of Orthopaedics

Abstract

Introduction: Mini-CEX helps in judicious use of competencies in authentic settings by simultaneously assessing clinical skills of trainees and providing feedback on their performance. As assessment of M.B.B.S. Interns for their competency in clinical examination skills in Department of Orthopaedics is lacking, this study is taken up to introduce Mini-CEX for M.B.B.S. Interns, by sensitising faculty and interns. Materials and Methods: A Quasi-experimental study was conducted during June to December 2020, among 60 interns posted in the Department of Orthopaedics. After obtaining IEC Clearance and written informed consent from the study participants, they were sensitised and exposed to five Mini-CEX clinical encounters involving examination of a patient with knee/other joint disorder in the Outpatient/Inpatient clinical setting, with eight faculty. The study tool used was Mini-CEX questionnaire developed by American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Case specific feedback was provided to interns using sandwich technique. The reflections and perceptions of interns and faculty were obtained after completion of all Mini-CEX encounters. Results: 96.7% encounters were conducted in OPD during first encounter. On an average, one Mini-CEX encounter lasted for 17 min. Interns had an overall score for the various domains ranging from 5.38 to 5.58. Comparison of mean scores showed a statistically significant improvement (p value < 0.0001). All the assessors were satisfied with Mini-CEX as an assessment tool. Conclusion: Interns and faculty opined that Mini-CEX improves clinical examination skills and professional development as focus is on the outcome and learning process, with multiple sampling in a longitudinal manner.