1. Reece A, Davis L, Todd P, Bellman M, Newell SJ11
A postgraduate Diploma in Child Health; do examiners and candidates agree on what it assesses?
Reece A, Davis L, Todd P, Bellman M, Newell SJ

2. Background Diploma in Child Health (DCH)
a multi-station assessment
assessing clinical skills aimed principally at General Practitioners (GPs) who have completed a 4-6 month period of training in paediatrics.
We report an audit of 13 centres over 2 diets in 2007.

3. Methods
Data from 13 sittings in 12 centres were obtained. This included 37 examiners (Paediatricians, Child Psychiatrists, Paediatric Surgeons and General Practitioners) and 211 candidates.
Over 60% of candidates were female.
Most had qualified in medicine 3-7 years previously (range 1-31 years).

5. Results
Examiners
83% of candidates felt that the examiners were helpful and not intimidating.
70% of candidates felt the exam had fairly and accurately assessed their ability.

6. Results
Examiners
83% of candidates felt that the examiners were helpful and not intimidating.
70% of candidates felt the exam had fairly and accurately assessed their ability.
Areas identified as problematic by candidates:
variability in examiner demeanour
short timing of clinical stations
high level of clinical case difficulty
Examiners generally agreed.

7. Results Examination Examiners and candidates agreed that the exam was
a good assessment of
history taking skills
communication skills
clinical examination skills
child development knowledge and competence.

8. Results
Examination
93.6% examiners, compared to 69.4% candidates on average rated each skill area fit for purpose.
Chi square test showed there was a significant difference between examiners and candidates in levels of agreement (Χ² = 43.08; df = 1; p = 0.001).

9. Conclusion The DCH is popular.
Especially for doctors working in General Practice.
Most stations are fit for purpose.
Seeking feedback from candidates and examiners is important.
Allows validity and reliability to maintain its overall high regard by candidates and examiners alike.