Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX)

Focused clinical interaction lasting between 5-25 minutes No longer than 30 minutes

Selection Patient new to the trainee with regard to the clinical skill being assessed. Supervisor has some familiarity with the patient

Organisation Usually arranged by the trainee in advance Occurs during individual or clinical supervision Trainee keeps a record

Focused on a specific aspect of clinical work: Mental state examination, cognitive assessment Risk assessment Relevant Physical examination Side-effect assessment

Talking to carer/family Consent to treatment Interpret laboratory tests

Seven assessment criteria possible : (Focused) history taking, process (Focused) history taking, content Mental state examination Physical examination skills Communication skills Data synthesis Organisation/efficiency

Assessment (cont) 9 point scale Midpoint “the standard to be achieved” (by the end of period of training) Trainee should have performance deficits, measured relative to what is expected by the end of period of training!

‘Formative’ Mini-CEX vs ‘Summative’ OSCE: Some similarity to certain clinical OSCE stations but not the same Not the careful standardisation At the commencement rather than the end of training Generating a ‘mark’ is not the aim, Aim is generating feedback and learning plan

Feedback What aspects were done well? Suggestions for improvement Agreed actions/goals