Doha – December 21, 2021: Medical education experts from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VMUC) in the US, and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) convened online for a faculty development program on assessment in competency-based medical education. 

Led by course directors Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, vice dean for academic and curricular affairs at WCM-Q, and Dr. Eric S. Holmboe, chief, research, milestones development and evaluation officer at the ACGME, the participants in the two-day program discussed the implications of competency-based medical education and discovered how to employ specific tools to effectively assess competence and give useful feedback to those being assessed. The session also explored key strategies for identifying and remediating a struggling learner, as well as demonstrating techniques for improving direct observation. 

The participants in the session from WCM-Q were Dr. Amine Rakab, assistant dean for clinical learning and assistant professor of clinical medicine; Ms. Deema Al-Sheikhly, lecturer of education in medicine; Dr. Amal Khidir, associate professor of pediatrics; and Dr. Sumeja Zahirovic, assistant professor of medicine. Dr. Sandra A. Moutsios, director of the internal medicine-pediatrics residency program and assistant professor of internal medicine at VUMC also took part. 

Dr. Arayssi said: “We were delighted to benefit from the expertise of Dr. Holmboe of the ACGME for this faculty development program on assessment in competency-based medical education. Keeping up-to-date with the latest and most effective assessment techniques and strategies is one of the key ways in which our talented faculty at WCM-Q are able to provide a truly world-class level of education to our students.”

Dr. Holmboe said: “Combining the very best assessment tools and methods with constructive feedback and coaching is absolutely crucial for medical students, residents and fellows and is a highly effective means for the development of mastery of the competencies c required to deliver excellent medical care as they progress in their careers. We are grateful to all who took part in this extremely useful and successful session.”

The faculty development program was accredited locally by the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Healthcare Professions – Accreditation Section and internationally by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).