Conducting competency-based assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic: Moving to remote assessments

Innovation in learning assessment

Authors

  • A. Cooper Keele University
  • J. Thompson Keele University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.3132

Keywords:

Competency-based Assessment, Competence, Pharmacy Student, Remote Assessment, United Kingdom

Abstract

At Keele University School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, all Master of Pharmacy students undertake Competency Based Assessments (CBAs) towards the end of each academic year. CBAs simulate ‘real life’ settings in pharmacy and assess a student’s ability to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding in a safe simulated environment. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the assessments could not be conducted in the usual way. Instead, they were re-designed to be carried out remotely using Google Meet software, to ensure students were still meeting the General Pharmaceutical Council outcomes for education and training. With a strong team who had previous experience in the design and delivery of CBAs, the delivery of remote CBAs was successful and enabled students’ competence to be measured virtually. More time and preparation will enable greater understanding as to how virtual assessments can fit into a primarily non-virtual degree.

References

Carr, S.J. (2004) Assessing clinical competency in medical senior house officers: how and why should we do it? Postgraduate Medical Journal, 80, 63-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/pmj.2003.011718

Department of Health. (2016). Operational Productivity and Performance in English NHS Acute Hospitals: Unwarranted Variations. Plus Media Solutions, London

Department of Health and Social Care. (2019). The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. GOV.UK, London

GPhC [General Pharmaceutical Council]. (2011). Future pharmacists: Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists. General Pharmaceutical Council, London

Miller, G.E. (1990). The assessment of clinical skills/competence/performance. Academic Medicine, 65(9 Suppl), S63-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00001888-199009000-00045

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Published

06-09-2020

How to Cite

Cooper, A., & Thompson, J. (2020). Conducting competency-based assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic: Moving to remote assessments: Innovation in learning assessment. Pharmacy Education, 20(2), p 31 – 32. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.3132

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2020): COVID-19 Special Collection

Section

COVID-19 Case Study

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