# Progress test as an assessment for learning approach in an Infectious Diseases Residency Program: a case study

## TL;DR

A progress test was used in an infectious diseases residency program to assess and improve learning, showing higher scores and satisfaction among residents.

## Contribution

This case study demonstrates the successful pilot use of progress tests in assessing and enhancing resident learning in infectious diseases.

## Key findings

- Third-year residents scored higher in all exams compared to earlier years.
- Residents reported high satisfaction and valued the learning and feedback from the tests.
- Progress tests can guide program improvements based on resident performance.

## Abstract

Assessment is an essential component for all educational programs and must check competence acquirement while foster and promote learning. Progress Test (PT) is well recognized to assess cognitive knowledge, clinical reasoning and decision making in the clinical context, offering important information about the individual performance and program quality. It is widely used in Brazilian and international medical schools; however, it still has little role in assessing medical residents in Brazil. We present the experience of a PT pilot implementation in an Infectious Diseases residency program over two years. The first, second and third-year residents did four serial exams with 40 multiple choice questions (item)/each. Preceptors were trained on best practices on item writing. All the items were reviewed by a panel of experts and, after approval, included in the item bank. All participants answered a survey on their perceptions about the experience. The final score was higher for the third-year residents in all exam applications. The level of satisfaction was high among the participants, who mentioned the learning opportunity with the exam and the feedback. PT can improve residents’ assessment along the training period and residents’ performance should guide review and improvement of the programs.