Trainers' and trainees' perceptions of workplace-based assessment in orthodontics

Abstract

Aims:: To explore trainers' and trainees' perceptions and experiences of Workplace-Based Assessments (WBAs) in Orthodontic Speciality Registrar (StR) training in England. Design:: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Setting:: UK. Participants:: Orthodontic StRs who had started their training in 2011–2012 and their trainers. Methods:: Participants completed an anonymous on-line questionnaire in July–August 2013.Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Results:: The questionnaire was completed by 42% (76/180) of trainers and 62% (46/74) of trainees. Half of the trainers spent 0.25 programmed activity (PA) per month undertaking WBAs. However, 88% of trainers had no PAs in their job plan for WBAs. The majority (53/66, 80%) of trainers undertook up to half of the WBAs in their SPAs. The trainers undertook a median of 5.5 (Interquartile range = 4) WBAs per trainee per year. Trainees spent an average of an hour per month undertaking WBAs. The mean number of completed WBAs per year was 12 (SD 4.2; 95%CI 10.7, 13.7) and mode was 10 WBAs. Almost all trainees, (33/34) had more than 80% of their WBAs undertaken by Consultants. Conclusions:: There was no statistically significant difference in trainers' and trainees' perception of the WBAs, and were accepted by both the trainers and trainees. Trainers and trainees spent about 1 hour per month undertaking WBAs. The majority of trainers undertook the WBAs in their SPA time. Trainees appeared to be undertaking the recommended number of WBAs.

Key words:

• Implementation
• orthodontic trainers
• orthodontic trainees
• perceptions
• workplace-based assessment (WBAs)