Body
Unit Policy
Title
Offices of Medical Student Education: Policy on Application Phase Formative Assessments Guidelines
Introduction
Purpose
This Policy establishes the guidelines for the provision of Formative Feedback to students (“Students”) in the Application Phase of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“University”) School of Medicine’s (SOM) Medical Doctorate (MD) degree program.
Scope
This Policy applies to evaluators, course/site directors and coordinators, and Offices of Medical Student Education (OMSE) staff in regard to the Application Phase.
Policy
Policy Statement
Formative Feedback is intended to provide feedback to Students in a timeframe that allows them to correct or improve knowledge, skills, or behaviors before the conclusion of a course. Students receive scheduled, face-to-face midcourse feedback from their course directors, or their designee, in all clinical courses of the Application Phase.
Formative Feedback includes Narrative Comments from course directors, based on preceptor feedback and/or quantitative performance data, all of which is recorded in the school’s evaluation system, One45. Course Directors must also release grades as assignments and assessments are completed so Students receive data on academic performance. Students can access these comments via One45.
Formative Assessment Forms
After having a midcourse meeting with a Student, clinical course directors must complete a formative assessment form (“Assessment Form”) in the SOM’s evaluation platform, One45. The Assessment Form includes a checkbox for course directors to confirm that meeting took place and that the following items were discussed:
- The Student’s Clinical log progress;
- The Student’s Learning environment concerns;
- The Student’s Duty hour concerns;
- The Student’s self-assessment;
- The Student’s progress in studying for NBME exams;
- Review of the Student’s completed assignments; and
- Professionalism expectations and concerns
In completing an Assessment Form, course directors must indicate an overall assessment of a Student’s performance by choosing one (1) of the following options:
- No, I do not have concerns at this time. However, data may be pending that may change this assessment.
- Yes, I have concerns and discussed them with the Student.
- Yes, I have concerns and have not discussed them with the Student (please indicate why in comment box below).
Course directors must provide Narrative Comments in the comment box designated for Narrative Comments. If course directors have concerns, then they must also complete the comment box designated for documenting an action plan for a Student for the remainder of the course.
Definitions
Formative Feedback: Specific, actionable information given during learning that helps a learner improve their performance before final evaluation.
Application Phase: Following the Foundation Phase, the thirteen (13)-month phase of the medical school curriculum dedicated to core clinical experiences, beginning in March and ending in February of the following year consisting of:
- Six (6) clinical courses:
- Community Based Primary Care
- Pediatrics
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- One (1) Conclusion of Application Phase (CAP) Course
- One (1) longitudinal course
- Social and Health Systems 4
Narrative Comments: Written observations from faculty or residents that describe a Student’s performance.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Alice Stone, Assistant Director of Curricular Affairs, Application Phase
Email: Alice_Stone@med.unc.edu
Publication Details
Issuing Officer: Heather Tarantino, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs
Email: heather_tarantino@med.unc.edu
Effective Date: December 1, 2024
Review Cycle: The Application Phase Committee reviews this Policy as needed and the Education Committee approves it.
Next Review Date: November 30, 2026