New Prevocational Progress Review forms were introduced in January 2009 for the assessment of prevocational trainees in years 1 and 2.

The new forms provide more information for trainees, Term Supervisors and hospital Directors of Prevocational Education and Training (DPETs). The forms are designed to measure training outcomes in terms of the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (ACF), ensuring that prevocational trainees are meeting the standard required for registration with the NSW Medical Board.

A large part of each form is a self-assessment completed by the trainee before meeting with the Supervisor.

Skill in self-assessment is now an integral part of professional development. Self-assessment followed by discussion with the Term Supervisor gives prevocational trainees the opportunity to reflect on how they perceive they are performing, and insight into how they are actually performing. This may provide encouragement or impetus for change, and enhances their skills in self assessment, which are required throughout their professional life.

For assessment purposes, Term Supervisors should arrange three meetings with each prevocational trainee in each term:

1 Term orientation: The Term Supervisor reviews the term description and discusses:

• major focus and goals of the clinical unit and the expectations of the JMOs role
• term learning objectives and skills training goals
• supervision needs and the process of performance assessment.

The Term Supervisor may also want to review the trainee’s current level of knowledge and experience.

Service information about work practices, protocols guidelines may also be provided by the Supervisor at this time or this may be tasked to another senior clinician.

2  Mid term appraisal: Takes place at about week 5 of the term. The trainee completes page 1 and the self-assessment in sections 1 and 2 of the orange mid term formative appraisal form before meeting with the Term Supervisor. Self-assessment provides a basis for discussing progress and planning the future direction of training during the term. The trainee is asked to outline personal strengths and achievements and identify weaknesses or needs for further development. The Supervisor then offers feedback in the same manner, filling in sections 2 and 3 of the form. The Term Supervisor will work with the trainee to develop an action plan designed to overcome any identified weaknesses in the trainee's performance. This plan will guide the direction of training for the rest of the term.

3 End of term assessment: Takes place in or immediately after the last week of term. The trainee completes page 1 and the self-assessment in sections 1 and 2 of the red end of term summative assessment form before meeting with the Term Supervisor. Self-assessment provides a basis for discussing the outcomes of the term. The Supervisor completes the assessment by filling in sections 2 and 3. The assessment should indicate the trainee’s standard of performance at the end of the term. Gaps or weaknesses in performance are only relevant if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the trainee is still performing at that level. If the trainee is assessed as not demonstrating overall competency in the term, the DPET should be informed.