Doctoral Degrees (Office of the Dean: Health Sciences)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Office of the Dean: Health Sciences) by Author "De Vries, C."
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Item Open Access Summative assessment of postgraduate radiology to ensure quality in the profession(University of the Free State, 2016-01) Hurter, Delmé; Van Zyl, G. J.; Nel, M. M.; De Vries, C.English: The College of Radiologists of South Africa (CR CMSA) is responsible for conducting the summative assessment of radiologists. With summative assessments being completed biannually it is important to provide directive documentation to ensure the reliability of consecutive summative assessments, and quality in the profession. The lack of clear guidelines for assessors and moderators of the summative assessment in postgraduate radiology and the lack of an assessment qualification to become an assessor prompted investigation and is the reason for this research. An in-depth study was done by the researcher to construct a directive for summative assessment in postgraduate radiology to ensure quality in the profession and to propose guidelines for assessors and moderators of the summative assessment, as well as guidelines for candidates who are preparing for the summative assessment. The objectives of this study included conceptualising and contextualising the lack of directive documentation for summative assessment in radiology, identifying the factors that play a role in the summative assessment of postgraduate students in radiology, identifying the factors that play a role in the preparation for summative assessment in radiology, determining guidelines for assessors and moderators and, finally, constructing a directive for summative assessment in postgraduate radiology. A qualitative research design was followed to address the research objectives. As basis for the study in-depth theoretical perspectives were gathered to conceptualise and contextualise summative assessment in radiology. A number of teaching and learning activities were identified from the theoretical perspectives; these activities can be used to prepare for summative assessment. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with interviewees, who fell in two target groups. The first group, as "providers" of the summative assessment, included assessors and moderators of the radiology summative assessment. The second group, as "users" of the summative assessment, included candidates who were within one year post summative assessment. Interviews were conducted with interviewees in both groups until the data became saturated. The findings of the interviews were tabulated according to themes, categories and subcategories that emerged from the interviews with all the interviewees. The researcher discusses and summarises all findings in the thesis. The findings were triangulated between the two groups as well as with the theoretical perspectives to contribute to the trustworthiness of the study. This study addresses current shortcomings, for example, limited feedback to candidates and the lack of guidelines for selecting assessors and moderators who are involved in the assessment. The study also addresses assessment training of assessors and moderators of the radiology summative assessment. Various instruments and tools were identified for use in radiology summative assessment and for adding value to radiology training through guidance to candidates on how to prepare for the summative assessment. Criteria for identifying a candidate's readiness for the summative assessment and criteria for being a competent radiologist were discussed. Summative assessment is the final step for any candidate to be certified a safe radiologist who is deemed competent to practice radiology independently. A safe radiologist needs to demonstrate general radiology knowledge, skills, roles and competencies as identified from the study, and must have the ability to manage any scenario encountered by a general radiologist. The competent radiologist should know to consult for guidance when needed and practice lifelong learning. The gap in knowledge that was addressed was the lack of directive documentation that is needed to guide assessors and moderators to repeatedly certify safe, competent radiologists. The researcher presents guidelines for assessors and moderators to ensure the quality of the assessment instrument and tools, the assessment process and the profession, as well as guidelines for candidates on preparing for the summative assessment. Heads of departments are presented with guidelines on when to present a candidate for the summative assessment; convenors are presented with guidelines on how to conduct the assessment, and assessors and moderators are presented with criteria for identifying competent radiologists.