Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30564738›Full record

ArticleBJGP open2018

The candidate perspective of the clinical competency test (CCT) of the MICGP examination: a mixed-methods study.

Tony Foley, Kathleen McLoughlin, Elaine K Walsh, Paul Leggett, Muríosa O'Reilly, Molly Owens, Aisling A Jennings

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BJGP open, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Tony FoleyLecturer, Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Kathleen McLoughlinResearch Fellow, Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Elaine K WalshLecturer, Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Paul LeggettCo-Convener of the CCT Exam, Examination Committee of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin, Ireland.
Muríosa O'ReillyMICGP Exam Manager, Examination Committee of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin, Ireland.
Molly OwensChair of the MICGP Exam, Examination Committee of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin, Ireland.
Aisling A JenningsClinical Research Fellow, Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe clinical competency test (CCT) was introduced by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) in 2015. Similar to the clinical skills assessment (CSA) of the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners exam (MRCGP), the CCT is a modified objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

aimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the MICGP CCT from the candidates' perspective, to gain an insight into their views of its fairness, relevance, and acceptability. DESIGN &

settingThis mixed-methods study was conducted with GP registrars in Ireland.

methodThe study was conducted in two phases. Firstly, focus groups were conducted with participants who had previously undertaken the CCT to explore their experience of the CCT. Secondly, findings from the focus groups informed the development of an online questionnaire, which was sent to all GP registrars who completed the CCT in the 2017 summer sitting.

resultsTwo focus groups were held with a total of nine participants. Following this, the online questionnaire was emailed to 134 registrars. Of these, 83 registrars completed the questionnaire in full. Registrars reported that the CCT is a fair exam and is relevant to daily general practice. They considered the exam to be a comprehensive assessment that has a positive educational impact. However, they were challenged by time restrictions, and found it financially and emotionally stressful.

conclusionThis is the first study to evaluate the candidate's perspective of an exiting GP membership exam in the UK or Ireland. The CCT is well-regarded by registrars. The study results will help to inform the future development of the CCT exam.

Indexed as

assessmentclinical competencyeducationfamily practicegeneral practicepostgraduate educationtraining

Identifiers

PMID30564738
PMCPMC6189776

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.