The graphical overview below represents the Center’s work from 2001 to the present. Themes and Ideas represent high-level concepts that the Center has in view and has “scouted” or discussed in brainstorming sessions. In scouting, the Center monitors trends and ideas that might affect the future of assessment in the medical education: practice continuum, including technologies, models, methods and novel notions. These are discussed at weekly brainstorming sessions, which often involve staff from other units. During the scouting process, some technologies stand out as warranting more thorough research because of obvious direct relevance to assessment; others are simply so intriguing that tenuous linkages are considered.
“Idosals” document thinking that is more developed than ideas but less formal than a “proposal” for funding. These are circulated to staff, the Center Advisory Committee and the Executive Board (EB) for feedback. If a more defined pilot emerges, a proposal is made to the EB for approval and funding. Once a proposal is approved by the EB, it becomes a project with a budget and specific timeline for providing evidence of feasibility and utility. The Center produces final reports, publications and informal thought pieces. The Center also aims to promote communities of interest and practice, and has collaborated with many organizations. As well, the Center aims to hand off projects to other units and/or to make products available outside the organization.
Progression from ideas, concepts and themes, through defined Center developmental steps (idosals, proposals, projects, conferences, etc.) to concrete outcomes (publications, “product” handoffs, etc.) is depicted from top to bottom. The bottom box contains some of the organizations that have contracted or collaborated with the Center.
To view a draft of figures that highlight our idea, proposal and pilot course, click here.
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