Abstract:

Objectives:
The Bologna Declaration launched in Europe changed the educational approach to a more competencies-based model which will be necessary mirrored in postgraduate specialist medical education. Recognition of skills development is crucial in the field of medical education, and more especially in psychiatry because of its emphasis on communication, interpersonal skills, and relationship building. “360-degree evaluation” has become a recognized method of assessing medical professional’s competence.

The aim of the present review was to investigate the validity of “360-degree evaluation” in psychiatry training in Spain.

Methods:
We conducted a systematic review using PubMed database, combining the terms "360-evaluation degree" and "multisource feedback" with "training psychiatry" and "postgraduate program".

Results:
We did not find any article relating to the use of “360-degree evaluation” in psychiatry training in Spain. However “360-degree evaluation” has been shown to be a reliable, valid and feasible evaluation method. Moreover it is an effective method for providing feedback to residents about their professionalism and interpersonal and communication skills and it plays an important role in making trainees aware of how their performance is perceived and provides a more comprehensive evaluation.

Conclusions:
“360-degree evaluation” is a useful evaluation method in training programs in psychiatry and it should be implemented as a complementary tool in Spain.

References:
[1] Swick et al. Assessing the ACGME Competencies in Psychiatry Training Programs. Academic Psychiatry 2006; 30:330–351
[2] Lelliott et al. Questionnaires for 360-degree assessment of consultant psychiatrists: development and psychometric properties. The British Journal of Psychiatry 2008:193, 156–160.
[3] Fitch et al. Assessing psychiatric competencies: what does the literature tell us about methods of workplace-based assessment? Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 2008;14, 122–130