Opinions of students and teachers regarding the evaluation of competences through the use ofthe portfolio in medicine

Abstract

Introduction: The portfolio is a formative assessment tool that has been implemented in science education and in recent years in medical education. Objective: 1- To learn the opinion that students and teachers have about the portfolio as a tool for learning and assessment in the course of studies of medicine, according to its applicability to acquire professional skills. 2- To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the portfolio. 3- To clarify the aspects perceived as stressful by students in building their portfolio. 4- To compare the
differences of opinion on this instrument among students and teachers. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study, with intensive logic. During the years 2011 and 2013 five (5) teachers and 63 students from the Laboratory corresponding to the 6th year subject Rotating Internship were interviewed. Informed consent for was given before taking part in the study. Results: The teachers agreed on the usefulness of the instrument for setting objectives and documenting acquisition of competences, its dynamism and stimulus for reflection. The students expressed that the portfolio allowed them to get organized, that it was novel and that its utilitywas its most outstanding value. The strengths recognized by teachers were the possibility of self-evaluation and self-criticism. As weakness, they identify its industriousness. Students expressed as strengths the self–evaluation, the usefulness and dynamism and the integration of knowledge. 28 students found no weaknesses; the remaining scored two: its industriousness and its realization in paper format. Less than half of the students (26/63) considered the instrument stressful, especially with
regard to responsibility and available time. Conclusion: The use of this tool generates in students know-how, encouraging reflection and promoting values. As regards teachers, it allows them greater interaction in the student-teacher ratio generated from methodology of workof this instrument of instruction and assessment