Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX)

Mini-CEX is a 15 minute snapshot of doctor/patient interaction within a secondary care setting. It is designed to assess the clinical skills, attitudes and behaviours essential to providing high quality care.

How to do a mini-CEX

The mini-CEX may be overseen by the clinical supervisor, the trainer or the educational supervisor, depending on the arrangements in each deanery. The mini-CEX may be observed by staff grades, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, experienced specialty registrars or consultants.

Each mini-CEX should represent a different clinical problem and GPStRs should sample from a wide range of problem groups by the end of the year. The interaction will be observed by a different observer on each occasion and the evidence will be rated and recorded in the Trainee ePortfolio. Immediate feedback will be provided by the observer rating the GPStR. A learning plan will be developed, based on the strengths and developmental needs observed.

How many? How often?

GPStRs will be expected to undertake six observed encounters (or COT in primary care) during ST1 and ST2 (three before each six month review).

Resources

Sample Form (pdf, 68kb)