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Evaluation & Assessment

[see LCME 4.4 8.3, 8.4, 8.5]

Program Evaluation

Program objectives are linked to both the overall design of the curriculum and the evaluation of the program through the Curriculum Coordinating Committee (CCC) and the Office of Medical Education (OME). Each course and clerkship is reviewed for performance against national normed examinations, performance on internal examinations, NRMP performance (the Match), and a series of internal quality measures administered by OME. These linkages are presented to the CCC and Medical Education Advisory Committee for review and action as needed. Overall achievement of program goals is the responsibility of the CCC.

Course Evaluation

The School of Medicine is committed to the regular and frequent evaluation of its educational program. Student feedback is a crucial component in this process. Therefore, ongoing assessments of the curriculum include web-based course and clerkship evaluations that students are required to complete at scheduled times throughout the academic year. The results of these and other assessment tools may result in recommendations to change or adjust the educational program.

During the pre-clinical phase of the curriculum, the following evaluation methods/instruments are utilized.

  • Formative Feedback:
    • Course-Led Focus Groups
    • Rapid Feedback on required educational activities
  • Summative Feedback:
    • Instructor Evaluations
    • End-of-Section Evaluations [Sample]
    • End-of-Course Evaluations [Sample]

During the clinical phase of the curriculum, the following evaluation methods/instruments are utilized.

  • Summative Feedback:
    • Preceptor Evaluations [Sample]
    • Site Evaluations [Sample]
    • Overall Clerkship Evaluations [Sample]
    • Departmentally-Based Evaluations (some clerkships)

Questions about this process should be directed to the Office of Medical Education, evaluations2@som.umaryland.edu.

[see LCME 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8]

Student Assessment

Assessment of medical students is multidimensional and linked to the overall program goals. The assessment includes performance on school-developed as well as national examinations, observation of skills in clinical settings, reflective essays, ratings of behavior throughout the clinical realm that mirror the PCRS competencies, standardized patients, observation in student leadership roles, and various measures of professionalism throughout the four year curriculum. The assessment process is coordinated and managed by the Office of Medical Education (OME). The school works to ensure that one set of program objectives are required of all students.

Sample evaluation forms: