The Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA), delivered by Continuing Professional Learning, College of Medicine, orients and assesses family medicine International medical Graduates' readiness to practise in Saskatchewan. As of January, 2011, all IMGs are required to take this Saskatchewan-based assessment before practising in the community to which they were recruited. Clinical Field Assessors are the eyes and ears of the SIPPA program, making the link between the candidate's performance in practice, the knowledge required for successful practice, and the results of the central assessment. ASSESSORS for Clinical Field Assessment WHO CAN BE AN ASSESSOR? Assessors must have full or enduring licenses, be from practices with at least four physicians and not currently subject to disciplinary action. The asessor's practice group (including staff) must agree to provide an assessment site. Some assessors also have background in the practice Enhancement Program, teaching, remediation, or other assessment programs. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Some current assessors speak of this as a chance to give back to the profession. Others see it as a way of increasing the number of physicians in Saskatchewan and eventually lessening their own workload. As well as being part of a better assessment process for the province, this opportunity may enhance assessors' skills in other College of Medicine teaching roles. Attendance at assessor workshops and involvement in on-line learning is required and carries professional continuing learning credits. THE CLINICAL FIELD ASSESSMENT PROCESS The clinical field assessment provides a longitudinal review of the candidate's ethical and professional behaviour rather than knowledge alone. Assessors provide exposure to the full range of cases seen in the office, hospital, emergency room or nursing home setting and supports on call opportunities. Assessors complete or supervise the completion of the required evaluation forms (mini-CEX, MSF - 360 degree feedback, ITER, Clinical Skills List and Language Evaluation) and provide feedback to the candidate. MSF questionaires are completed by the candidate, assessor, colleagues, staff and patients. Although the focus of the assessor's role is to assess the performance of the candidate, some teaching and mentoring is inevitable. All assessments are tabulated centrally and the pass/fail decision is made and delivered to the candidates by SIPPA. WHAT IS THE SIPPA ASSESSMENT PROCESS The SIPPA process offers up to three sessions yearly (winter, spring and fall) with a maximum of 30 IMG candidates in each cohort. Candidates initially undertake a three week orientation and a series of examinations (Centralized Clinical Assessment). Those who successfully pass this stage will enter the Clinical Field Assessment process intended to identify knowledge, communication ability and professional skills which would move them successfully into a clinical situation. HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE Assessors state that they spend a significant amount of time in the first week when orienting the candidate to their practice. However, the time needed by each candidate varies according to their abilities. Reports are streamlined but do require a time commitment from assessors, colleagues and staff.
Click Here to access a PDF presentation covering the orientation, details and requirements of assessors and candidates entering the SIPPA program.
