Process and product -: Development of competency-based measures for psychiatry residency

The authors describe a group effort to devise objective and measurable standards for assessing competency of psychiatric residents in a number of domains, using techniques of brain-storming, affinity grouping, and priority matrices. Results from each step were used to refine the next step. A checklist of minimum skill competencies was successfully devised and implemented. Skills were allocated to five domains: Assessment and Presentation, Diagnosis, Somatic Treatment, Side-Effect Management, Consultation-Liaison and Medical Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy. They concluded that competency-based measures can be formulated for psychiatric residency training. Although the set of competencies derived for the authors' institution may be particular to local goals and values, the general structure and the process of development are transferable.