Beyond Selection: The Use of Situational Judgement Tests in the Teaching and Assessment of Professionalism

Abstract

PROBLEM: Professionalism is a critical attribute of medical graduates. Its measurement is challenging. The authors sought to assess final-year medical students' knowledge of appropriate professional behavior across a broad range of workplace situations. APPROACH: Situational judgement tests (SJTs) are used widely in applicant selection to assess judgement or decision making in work-related settings as well as attributes such as empathy, integrity, and resilience. In 2014, the authors developed three 40-item SJTs with scenarios relevant to interns (first-year junior doctors) and delivered the tests to final-year medical students to assess aspects of professionalism. As preparation, students d..