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The false dichotomy of quality and quantity in the discourse around assessment in competency-based education

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Abstract

Competency-based medical education stresses the attainment of competencies rather than the completion of fixed time in rotations. This sometimes leads to the interpretation that quantitative features of a program are of less importance, such as procedures practiced and weeks or months spent in clinical practice. An educational philosophy like “We don’t require numbers of procedures completed but focus on competencies” suggests a dichotomy of either competency-based or time and procedures based education. The author argues that this dichotomy is not useful, and may even compromise education, as long as valid assessment of all relevant competencies is not possible or feasible. Requiring quantities of experiences of learners is not in contrast with competency-based education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Research and Development of Education, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 98, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Olle ten Cate

  2. P.O. Box # 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Olle ten Cate

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  1. Olle ten Cate
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Correspondence to Olle ten Cate.

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ten Cate, O. The false dichotomy of quality and quantity in the discourse around assessment in competency-based education. Adv in Health Sci Educ 20, 835–838 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-014-9527-3

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