Performance Assessment of Clinical Skills (PACs)

Currently, much of the literature and training concerning clinical skills assessments is derived from experiences in medical education and other health professions.

We recognise that there are many similarities between medical and dental education, however, dental students, unlike medical students, graduate and register as independent practitioners. Performance assessments in dentistry need to have broad impact, assessing a range of skills including psychomotor, communication and diagnostic skills to ultimately ascertain if graduates are ready to meet the requirements of an independent safe beginner at the point of graduation. It is therefore critical that dental performance assessments are robust, fair and defensible.

In our own institutions, clinical skills assessments have evolved, and we recognise that there is an opportunity to learn and develop through sharing our experiences. This community of practice offers members a space to learn from and collaborate with colleagues on the development of practical assessments in clinical / simulated environments and to build an evidence-based approach to performance assessments in dental education.

The group aims to:

• Share best practice and experiences in the development, design, delivery and evaluation of performance assessments of clinical skills in dental education.

• Generate a bank of performance assessment types and rubric exemplars, including but not restricted to OSCEs, MOSLERs, Case Based Discussions and in-course clinical competencies.

• Foster collaboration and promote standardisation of practice through a process of peer review of assessment and rubric design