BACKGROUND: To determine whether deliberation as part of a group affects an individual's decisions for grading and remediation of marginal students. METHOD: In academic year 2001-02, members of a Department of Medical Education Committee prospectively completed pre- and postdiscussion surveys about their decision-making processes for third-year internal medicine clerkship students presented for marginal performance. Postdiscussion written comments were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: A total of 23 (14%) students were discussed, resulting in 297 individual committee member decisions (3,090 educator-minutes). A total of 76 of 297 (25%) decisions were altered following committee deliberations, changing the grade and/or remediation for nine students. Only seven of 76 (9%) changes were anticipated. Qualitative analysis revealed four underlying themes for changing: influence of members; data provided; clarification of process; and factors outside the clerkship. CONCLUSIONS: Group discussion influenced individual committee members' decisions for one-quarter of marginal students. The committee process allowed for clarification of the record, faculty development, and full discussion of student performance.
BACKGROUND: To determine whether deliberation as part of a group affects an individual's decisions for grading and remediation of marginal students. METHOD: In academic year 2001-02, members of a Department of Medical Education Committee prospectively completed pre- and postdiscussion surveys about their decision-making processes for third-year internal medicine clerkship students presented for marginal performance. Postdiscussion written comments were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: A total of 23 (14%) students were discussed, resulting in 297 individual committee member decisions (3,090 educator-minutes). A total of 76 of 297 (25%) decisions were altered following committee deliberations, changing the grade and/or remediation for nine students. Only seven of 76 (9%) changes were anticipated. Qualitative analysis revealed four underlying themes for changing: influence of members; data provided; clarification of process; and factors outside the clerkship. CONCLUSIONS: Group discussion influenced individual committee members' decisions for one-quarter of marginal students. The committee process allowed for clarification of the record, faculty development, and full discussion of student performance.
Authors: Annabel K Frank; Patricia O'Sullivan; Lynnea M Mills; Virginie Muller-Juge; Karen E Hauer Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2019-05 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Tim J Wilkinson; Mike J Tweed; Tony G Egan; Anthony N Ali; Jan M McKenzie; MaryLeigh Moore; Joy R Rudland Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2011-06-07 Impact factor: 2.463