A new method to evaluate clinical performance and critical incidents in anaesthesia: quantification of daily comments by teachers.

We have found that the Clinical Anesthesia System of Evaluation (CASE) method provides information regarding clinical performance of residents and critical incidents that is not available from other sources. As a result, it expands the dimensions of the evaluation process and improves validity. In addition, the technique has helped address the concerns of many investigators. (1) It provides specific, real-time evaluations that permit early intervention, improve feedback and guide remediation; (2) it improves sampling techniques by increasing the breadth and volume of evaluators and settings; (3) it enhances the discriminatory power of the evaluation process; and (4) it improves documentation.