Detailed assessment
Like the preliminary assessment, the detailed assessment is a rating exercise. However, while the preliminary assessment rated how well the sub-objectives of the BPCLE Framework are achieved overall, the detailed assessment considers the mechanics of organising and delivering clinical education.
This task requires your group to look at the inputs, processes and outputs/outcomes that are needed to actually achieve each sub-objective. The inputs, processes and outputs/outcomes are displayed on program logic maps, with arrows showing how the items (referred to as “nodes”) on the maps are logically connected to each other. A map has been developed for each of the six BPCLE Framework elements and, to complete the detailed assessment task, your group will work its way through the map for each of the elements you have elected to include in your assessment, rating each node on the map in turn.
For each node, your group is asked to consider a specific question. As the group discusses the question, you are able to record the number of group members that nominate each rating choice using the voting panel at the left-hand side of the card, although recording the votes of group members is optional. You can also record notes at the bottom of the card. You are then asked to nominate a consensus rating for the node (see the discussion on consensus in the section “Undertaking an assessment”). If the node is not applicable to your organisation or work area, you can select “Not applicable to my organisation”, which will complete this node.
Once you have decided on your consensus rating for the node, click the “Save & next step” button at the bottom of the card. This will take you to the final step for the node, which is to decide whether to include it in your Action Plan. BPCLEtool will make a suggestion about inclusion in the Action Plan based on your consensus rating, but your group has control over this decision and you must tick the relevant box (“Add this item to my Action Plan”) to include the node. If you select the node for inclusion in the Action Plan, you can nominate the priority, although this is optional and can be changed later in the Action Planning step of the process.
When you have decided whether to include the node in your Action Plan, click the “Complete & go to next item” button at the bottom of the card. BPCLEtool will automatically direct you to the next node in the logical sequence for that map.
There are more than 200 nodes to rate across the six maps, but it is important not to be put off by this number. After you have completed a few nodes, you will see the process is quite straightforward and takes less time than you imagine it will. You and your colleagues are also quite likely to find it an interesting and challenging task that is both informative and enjoyable.
Indeed, you will find that some interesting conversations occur in the course of this task, particularly where you have staff from different disciplines involved and where this type of exchange is not the norm. While this dialogue should be encouraged, it is important to avoid becoming bogged-down with excessively detailed analysis or distracted by tangential discussions. A common sense approach should be adopted and ideas that are important but are holding up the assessment process should be noted and set aside for later consideration.
The order in which you work through the maps in your assessment is for your group to decide. There is no prescribed order and you can work through the maps according to your own preference or priorities. Furthermore, you don’t have to complete all the maps – or all the nodes within maps – before proceeding to the action planning step. Indeed, you might find it helpful to do some action planning at the completion of each map while the ideas are still fresh in your mind, to decide what steps you will take to address the issues that have been identified. You are able to return to the detailed assessment step at any time.
Watch the video tutorials for a demonstration on how to complete your detailed assessment.