Assessment is closely linked to curriculum. The core Internal Medicine program curriculum provides the content for In-Training Evaluations (ITERs) from each rotation, as well the fall and spring oral examinations. The CanMEDS competencies, medical expert, communicator, collaborator, scholar, health advocate, manager, and professional, provide the structure around which both curriculum and assessment have been developed. ITERs are completed after each week on the clinical teaching unit and following completion of each subspeciality block or rotation. Oral examinations occur each fall and spring. The twice yearly oral examinations consist of the following: PGY 1: observed history and physical and an OSCE, PGY 2: OSCE and bedside physical examinations and clinical scenarios, PGY 3: bedside physical examinations and clinical scenarios.

Successful completion of these oral examinations plus performance on ITERs determines promotion to the next 6 months of training. Six month evaluations and progress to date are reviewed at an individual meeting with the resident and either the Program Director or the Chair of the Assessment subcommittee.

Each year the residents write the American College of Physicians (ACP) multiple choice exam. This examination is not required for promotion, but can be used as a benchmark by residents to gauge their individual medical knowledge or expertise. In 2009, assessment and feedback were academic half day topics. This provided opportunity to present and discuss some of the key components of assessment and feedback for residents interested in medical education and to provide background to our current and evolving assessment approach for the core Internal Medicine training program.

The Core Internal Medicine Assessment document was reviewed by the Assessment and Promotion Subcommittee in Septeber 2011.