Listen to this episode below, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can download the transcript below.
In this podcast, Dr Cathryn Chadwick, outgoing Vice President for Training and Assessment, Dr Josh Hodgson, Chair of the Trainee Committee and Dr Sarah Hallett, Trainee Representative for Assessment, discuss proposed changes to workplace-based assessments, designed to better reflect real clinical practice.
What is the Assessment Review and why does it matter?
Cathryn has been leading the work to review the assessment programme within the Progress+ curriculum for doctors in postgraduate paediatric training. After two pilots and a consultation on the new workplace-based assessments, the proposed changes have been submitted to the General Medical Council for approval. Drawing on insights from trainees, trainers and College teams, the review marks a significant step towards embedding assessment within everyday clinical work.
In this conversation, Cathryn, Josh and Sarah outline the Assessment Review process, proposed changes, and predicted timeline for implementation, and address concerns that have come up along the way. In Sarah's words:
I think this has been a real opportunity to improve assessments to ensure that they align with our curriculum, but also to make sure that they are properly rooted in the workplace. The other element that I think that is important here is that we often hear from trainees that they can sometimes go through training without elements of what they're doing actually being observed...so some of these assessments will hopefully enshrine into practice being observed, getting feedback, and that real mentorship relationship with the consultants.
Whether you’re a doctor in training, trainer, or simply interested in how paediatric assessment is evolving, this podcast provides a clear overview of what’s changing, why it matters, and what are the next steps.
Learn more and stay up to date with the progress of our Assessment Review.
- About the speakers
Dr Cathryn Chadwick is the outgoing Vice President for Training and Assessment, a post she has held since 2021. Cathryn is a General Paediatric Consultant at Northampton General Hospital where she has a neonatal interest. She has enjoyed a career as a DGH paediatrician with particular interests in supporting breastfeeding and family integrated care alongside developing an interest in medical education. Having had the privilege to work in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings during her career, Cathryn is excited by the opportunities in the new curriculum for trainees to develop capabilities to provide holistic, joined up care for children and young people.
Dr Josh Hodgson is the Chair of the RCPCH Trainee Committee. He is a Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine trainee based at the Evelina London Children's Hospital, having graduated from the University of Cambridge and University College London in 2016. Josh is an Associate Fellow of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM and a member of the Academy of Medical Educators and an Instructor for the Resuscitation Council (UK).
Dr Sarah Hallett is the trainee rep for Assessments at RCPCH, and an ST6 (S1) in General Paediatrics in the East Midlands. She has provided trainee input throughout the Assessment Review and also sits on the Training Quality and START Boards, as well as the SPIN Working Group. Sarah has a keen interest in training, education and leadership. As previous Chair of the BMA UK Junior (now Resident) Doctors Committee, she led on many workstreams across several years to improve the lives of resident doctors, from increased flexibility in training to contractual reform.