Abstract
2059
Objectives: Mini-clinical exam formats for formative and summative learning have been in common use since the 1990s in medical schools. Now used in many different medical specialty training programs, the mini-clinical exam is an observed clinical encounter involving a faculty evaluator and a trainee who performs the clinical duties. This observed encounter utilizes a rubric format to evaluate clinical performance and promote learning. In nuclear medicine, the trainee’s clinical work includes image interpretation, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic procedures. However, graduate medical education in nuclear medicine lacks evidence-based sources for formative and summative assessments of trainee learning. Our group is interested in developing a mini-clinical assessment tool for nuclear medicine trainees to enhance our field’s educational objectives. We are especially interested in an assessment for use with image interpretation skills of residents, as this is a nebulous area of nuclear medicine education, feedback, and assessment.
Methods: Using a rubric format, we developed an image interpretation evaluation tool that encompasses the following skills or knowledge base: radiopharmaceutical, biodistribution, imaging protocol, indication and clinical context, findings, reporting, and conclusion. Specific skills or knowledge were each categorized as beginner, intermediate, or senior level.
Results: The NM Standardized Readout Assessment tool is presented in Table 1. Note that this form has four pages. Page 1: Trainee, evaluator and case-specific information. Page 2: Clinical image interpretation exam. Page 3: Trainee and evaluator comments regarding learning achievements and areas for development. Page 4: Trainee and evaluator opinions regarding the exercise, including acceptability of the assessment.
Conclusions: With specific skill and knowledge criteria and precise scoring categories, we provide a formative learning tool that can provide feedback and identify trainee knowledge gaps as well as a summative assessment tool that evaluates trainee performance in image interpretation. We expect this to have a positive impact on trainees and encourage learning and professional development.
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