ABSTRACT

Developing and improving the teaching and evaluation skills of housestaff and faculty is a dynamic process and the need for faculty development has been long recognized. The student evaluation method at the Uniformed Services University (USU) provides a unique blend of evaluation, feedback and faculty development. Moderated by the clerkship director or on site coordinator, the formal evaluation sessions are held monthly at all clerkship sites throughout the twelve week internal medicine clerkship. The evaluation sessions provide an opportunity to discuss and evaluate student performance and generate a source of formative feedback for the students currently on the clerkship. Additionally, the evaluation sessions represent a formal, planned and longitudinal forum of "real-time" and "case-based" faculty development through which the key concepts of the Stanford Faculty Development Program can be modeled and taught . This "triple play" of evaluation, feedback and faculty development makes the formal evaluation sessions a powerful tool for clerkship directors.