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Table 1 Core items in the Mayo Cardiology Fellows’ Assessment (MCFA-10) with description and sources of content evidence

From: Validity of a cardiology fellow performance assessment: reliability and associations with standardized examinations and awards

Item

Description

Sources of content evidence

Categories of validity evidence for the referenced sources

Accuracy and completeness of gathered information

Obtains thorough and appropriately comprehensive data from the history, physical exam, and medical record

Similar item demonstrated excellent internal structure reliability [17]; appropriate and effective patient care is a component of core ACGME patient care competency [20]

Internal structure, content

Interpretation of patient data effectively

Synthesizes patient’s history, physical exam, laboratory data, and differential diagnoses

Similar item demonstrated excellent internal structure reliability [17]; appropriate and effective patient care is a component of core ACGME patient care competency [20]

Internal structure, content

Selection of appropriate diagnostic tests

Utilizes appropriate, cost effective, and evidence-based diagnostic testing

Similar item demonstrated excellent internal structure reliability [17]; appropriate and effective patient care is a component of core ACGME patient care competency [20]

Internal structure, content

Formulation of an effective plan and patient management strategy

Interprets test results accurately; demonstrates good clinical judgment

Similar item demonstrated excellent internal structure reliability [17]; appropriate and effective patient care is a component of core ACGME patient care competency [20]

Internal structure, content

Effective and concise case presentations

Clearly articulates the salient aspects of cases with both written and verbal communication

Similar item demonstrated excellent internal structure reliability [17]; effective exchange of information is a component of core ACGME interpersonal and communication skills competency [20]

Internal structure, content

Efficiency of patient work-ups

Prioritizes and conducts patient evaluations in a timely manner

Prior studies have identified the value of efficiency in clinical teaching [21]; efficient patient care is a component of core ACGME patient care competency [20]

Content

Quality of dismissal letter

Completes accurate, concise, and responsive documentation to referring providers

Item felt to be important given nature of Mayo Clinic referral practice and communication with external providers

Content

Professionalism

Accepts responsibility; demonstrates empathy, honesty, initiative, and integrity; practices mutual respect; places needs of patient first

Similar to component of validated assessment of professionalism [9, 10]

Content, relations to other variables

Commitment to own education

Attends conferences; completes required readings; practices self-directed learning

Similar to component of validated assessment of professionalism [9, 10]

Content, relations to other variables

Systems based practice

Practices cost-effective care; references clinical guidelines; leverages system resources for the benefit of patients

ACGME requires assessment of competency in systems based practice [22]

Content

  1. Abbreviations: ACGME Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education