Application of mixed assessment of competence of general practitioners in Shanghai suburban communities

A pilot mixed assessment method was used to evaluate the clinical and teaching ability of general practitioners (GPs) in a suburban district of Shanghai. In December 2018, 29 GPs from 20 community health centers in a suburban district of Shanghai were assessed by a mixed method consisting of 3 domains and 8 stations for one day. The average age of GPs was (37.8±4.7) years and 22 were females (75.9%). In 3 domains, the average score (66.8±9.7) and qualified rate (75.9%) of clinical thinking abilities were the lowest. In 8 stations, the average score [(53.8+13.4) points] and qualified rate (34.5%) of adult SOAP medical record writing station were the lowest. The average score of pediatric outpatients consult station of GPs with 15 years of work experience [(68.6+10.2) vs. (58.5+9.4), t=2.787, P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in the scores among GPs with different teaching years and titles. The average scores of clinical thinking ability domain (t=2.115) and adult outpatient consult station (t=3.410); in the clinical operation ability domain the ophthalmoscopy and readings (t=3.816) and otoscopy and reporting station (t=2.286); clinical teaching abilities (t=2.618) and simulated educational situation station (t=2.452) and mini lectures station (t=2.802) of GPs in the community teaching base were higher than those in non-community teaching base (all P<0.05). Mixed assessment method can be used as one of the important means for GPs′ ability assessment. The community teaching bases have effectively improved the clinical and teaching abilities of GPs in suburban areas, however, the clinical thinking abilities of them are still weak. Key words: General practitioner; Clinical and teaching ability; Mixed assessment