Understanding Emotions Impacted by New Assessment Mandates Implemented in Medical Education: A Survey of Residents and Faculty Across Multiple Specialties

TL;DR

This study explores how new medical education assessment mandates affect the emotions of residents and faculty across different specialties.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the emotional impact of EPA assessments on residents and faculty, highlighting differences by specialty and gender.

Findings

Residents experience more negative emotions toward EPA assessments compared to faculty.

Emotions related to EPA assessments vary across medical specialties and gender.

The findings can guide medical education programs in understanding and addressing emotional responses to assessment mandates.

Abstract

Background

Previous research findings show that the overall perception of residents regarding the new entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessment mandates is primarily negative. Hence, this study aims to explore the link between EPA assessment experiences and resident and faculty emotions and expectancy of successfully completing residency training.

Methods

A standardized questionnaire (Medical Emotions Scale (MES)), which measures 20 unique emotions on a 5-point Likert scale, was used to explore the emotions of residents and faculty members regarding EPA assessments and residents’ expectancy of success. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

Ninety-one (N=91) participants (46 faculty members and 45 residents) completed the survey. The results revealed that residents have more negative emotions toward EPA assessments compared to faculty. Additionally, resident and faculty emotions regarding EPA assessments vary across specialty and gender.

Conclusions

These findings will be crucial in providing the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and medical education programs with concrete evidence and guidance in understanding the perspectives and emotions of residents and faculty towards EPA assessments and residents’ beliefs about successfully completing their medical training.