Reforms in VUmc School of Medical Sciences Amsterdam: Student engagement, a Minor elective semester and stakeholder collaboration in improving the quality of assessments

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Practice points

Curricular reforms need time to be actualized. The educational vision needs regular refreshment to align with the changing societal context. Student engagement in teaching is invaluable. Opportunities for students to learn beyond the scope of medical topics are purposeful and appreciated. Safeguarding the quality of assessments in a medical school requires collaboration between different stakeholders.

Table 1. Stakeholders in the assessment chain and their responsibilities.

Sr. no.	Stakeholder	Responsibilities
1.	The management of the educational institute (Director of VUmc School of Medical Sciences and the Bachelor and Master Program Directors)	Accountable for designing and implementing the curriculum including theassessmentsAccountable for the quality of the education offered and the degree awarded
2.	The assessment experts	Responsible for writing the assessment policy, assessment plan, and assessment manualResponsible for advising the examiners on the quality of their assessment questions (consulting services on demand)Responsible for training and advising examiners on newly introduced assessment types
3.	Policy advisors and quality assurance staff	Responsible for advising on educational implementation from the perspective of policyResponsible for the overseeing the plan-do-check-act cycle
4.	General examination board	Responsible for upholding the quality of assessments and the degree awarded and checking it from time to timeResponsible for appointing examiners and setting criteria for examinersResponsible for sampling the end products of the Bachelor and Master programsResponsible for advising the management on key documents like the assessment policy, assessment plan, and assessment manualResponsible for advising the management on specific training for examiners
5.	Executive examination board	Responsible for handling student requestsResponsible for regular monitoring of assessment quality and the quality of work of examinersResponsible for advising the general EB on key documents like the assessmentpolicy, plan, and manual with a specific eye on the practical details
6.	Examiners (appointed for this function by the EB)	Responsible for the quality of the assessments conducted
7.	Assessors	Responsible for making and contributing assessment questions to an examination