An assessment model for the training of medical postgraduate students in urology

[摘要] English: The researcher realised that there was a need to revisit assessment of postgraduatestudents in Urology and therefore decided to conduct a study on the currentassessment model in Urology. The aim of the study was to develop an assessmentmodel for postgraduate students in Urology that would comply with the principles ofHigher Education (HE) and also be acceptable and advantageous to both thepostgraduate students and assessors in Urology.A study was undertaken to identify the changes that have taken place in assessmentas well as the different principles of assessment that should be included in a soundassessment model. The study investigated the role of formative and summativeassessment, feedback in assessment and quality assurance as part of assessment. Theresearch included an investigation of the assessment methods that will be mostsuitable for the assessment of postgraduate students in Urology.The research undertaken in this study followed a quantitative approach with someelements of qualitative research. The researcher made use of a literature review, aquestionnaire survey among Urologists in South Africa and a Delphi process thatincluded experts in the fields of Urology and HE.In the questionnaire survey the participants were asked to answer questions about thechanges in HE and the assessment methods available to assess postgraduate studentsin Urology. The questions in the questionnaire survey were compiled by the researcherwith the help of the literature review. The information gathered by the questionnairesurvey supported by the literature review enabled the researcher to prepare somestatements that could be included in the proposed assessment model for registrars inUrology. The statements prepared by the researcher were presented to a Delphi panel and they were asked to rate the statements as essential, useful or unnecessary partsof the assessment model. The Delphi panel consisted of ten experts in Urology and HEthat were selected by the researcher and his moderators. A four-round Delphi processtook place from September 2011 until January 2012. A total of 189 statements werepresented to the Delphi panel in Round One of the Delphi process. At the end of thefourth round of the Delphi process consensus was reached on 163 out of a possible189 statements (86%).The researcher approached the compilation of the assessment model in three parts. Inthe first part the researcher proposed that assessors of postgraduate students inUrology should have adequate knowledge about assessment in HE. In the second partof the assessment model, the researcher proposed an assessment policy for theCollege of Urology and described the characteristics thereof. In the final part of theassessment model the researcher proposed the assessment methods that should formthe framework of formative and summative assessment of postgraduate students inUrology. The researcher stressed the importance of the dissertation as the student'scontribution towards the available literature in their field of study and included someproposals on the format of the dissertation project.The results of the study indicated that there were areas in the current assessmentmodel of postgraduate students in Urology that could be improved. The assessmentmodel as proposed by the researcher could be considered by the College of Urologistsfor future use in the assessment of postgraduate Urology students. If accepted, theassessment model can also serve as an example for the other colleges of the Collegesof Medicine of South Africa to formulate an assessment model of their own.The project attempted to make a contribution towards the improvement of assessmentin urology students. The assessment model, if implemented, may assist inimprovement of quality assurance in and fairness, validity and trustworthiness ofassessment. It will stimulate other researchers in the field of HE to pursue otheraspects of assessment that warranted further research. The assessment model can bean effective and valuable instrument to enhance student learning and produce topclassUrologists to serve the needs of the South African public.

[发布机构] University of the Free State