Presenting a model for assessing general medical students: a brief report

Background: By examining the comprehensive system for evaluating the academic progress of general medical students, often the objectives of the cognitive domain and the form of cumulative evaluation were used, and the tests were not used much for feedback to the students. The aim of the study is to develop a model that fits the levels of Miller's evaluation pyramid in formative-cumulative forms. Methods: The search was started in Iranian and international databases, magazines, curriculum of prestigious universities in the world. To find out about the latest events in the field of assessment, AMEE international virtual conferences in August 2021 and the summary booklet of medical education articles of Shahid Motahari 1400 (the 22nd national conference of medical education) were reviewed. Data analysis was done by Beredy's adaptive model. The search and analysis lasted for 11 months. Finally, a model was developed according to Miller's evaluation pyramid. Its validation was done in the focus group meeting in two ways, in person at Mashhad Medical School and virtual. Results: According to the extracted data, the approach of assessment is towards formative assessment format and improvement of traditional methods along with modern methods, which was clearly observed in the study of the curriculum of Harvard-Stanford University in America and Oxford University in England. Integrating the results with Miller's evaluation levels, and the formative and cumulative evaluation format, led to the formulation of a model with the most favorable opinions of experts. In addition, the majority of opinions and suggestions of experts were related to the change in the way of executive policies of universities and providing a context for the emergence of new idea. Conclusion: A model including measurement methods according to the levels of Miller's evaluation pyramid was developed in formative-cumulative. It is suggested that the model be reviewed by the relevant experts and notified by taking into account the implementation conditions for the correct evaluation process