The use of videorecordings of medical postgraduates in improving clinical skills.

The examination for membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians has a high failure rate despite intensive clinical coaching provided by many postgraduate courses. One of the main difficulties appears to be the failure of candidates to identify specific shortcomings in their clinical behaviour. In this study videorecording was used as a method of self-appraisal enabling the candidate to identify strengths and weaknesses. The evidence from the study suggests that self-appraisal by videorecording should be used as an adjunct to clinical instruction.