Progressive assessment and workplace-based assessment program guide

The RACGP WBA program

Program objectives

Progressive assessment and workplace-based assessment program guide
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Last revised: 19 Jan 2023

Program objectives

The WBA program enables assessment of registrar performance throughout training and the provision of feedback to guide future learning activities. A key aspect of the assessment for learning that underpins the WBA program is that the registrar needs to develop learning goals and learning activities based on the feedback provided and demonstrate that the feedback has been effectively incorporated in their performance during subsequent assessments.

The objectives of the RACGP WBA program are to:

  • drive self-directed learning and reflective practice through formative feedback and self-assessment1
  • inform decisions on the appropriate supervision needed to support patient and registrar safety2,3
  • track a registrar’s development and progress towards becoming a safe clinical practitioner suitable for independent practice as a general practitioner in Australia1,4
  • identify registrars in difficulty and inform decisions about additional or mandated educational activities for those registrars needing extra support1,4
  • evaluate those areas of professional practice and behaviour that are difficult to assess in high-stakes summative exams and are best tested through real experiences in the workplace
  • determine eligibility to sit the Fellowship summative written assessments
  • determine eligibility for the award of Fellowship of the RACGP.

Embedding assessment within the workplace provides data that can be used for both educational purposes and to support high-stakes decisions. To date, WBA has been used predominantly in a formative manner to facilitate and direct learning through self-reflection and feedback. It has also been used to identify a registrar’s learning and supervision needs and to determine the amount of support required.

WBAs will continue to be used primarily as assessment for learning but will now also provide valuable information to support decisions about progression through training. Data from WBAs can be used to assess if a registrar has met the appropriate clinical competencies and skills to progress to the next stage of training, to be considered eligible to sit the written Fellowship exams, and ultimately to be deemed as safe to practice independently in comprehensive general practice.

  1. RACGP Standards for general practice training – Standard 3.2, AMC Standard 5
  2. RACGP Standards for general practice training – Standard 1.1, AMC Standard 5
  3. RACGP Standards for general practice training – Standard 1.3, AMC Standard 5
  4. RACGP Standards for general practice training – Standard 2.3, AMC Standard 5
  5. RACGP Standards for general practice training – Standard 2.1, AMC Standard 5
  6. AMC Standard 5.2.1
  7. AMC notes – Direct observation of registrars with real or simulated patients should form a significant component of the assessment.
  8. RACGP Standards for general practice training – Standard 1.1 – Guidance: The supervisor conducts and records the assessment activities and other means of determining a registrar’s competencies during their time in placement.

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