The long case: the case against its revival Commentary on ... The long case

In their editorial, Michael et al focus on what they see as shortcomings in one important area of clinical assessment of psychiatrists in training and they suggest that methods of workplace-based assessment have failed. However, current thinking in assessment of doctors is to consider assessment systems as a whole and we contend that both forms of assessment - clinical examinations and workplace-based assessments - are needed because they fulfil different needs. This is not to argue that more should not be done to ensure that all who are involved in the assessment of doctors are better prepared for the task or that the current portfolio of assessment methods is complete. Declaration of interest W.B. is the Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and in this role has overall responsibility for the College's assessment system. A.B. has delivered training events for the College and for other bodies in the administration and interpretation of workplace-based assessment tools.