Strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement in postgraduate assessment in community medicine in India: A Delphi study

Objectives: It was to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current postgraduate assessment system in community medicine in India, to identify recommendations for change, and to build a consensus around them. Materials and Methods: A conventional Delphi technique was preferred for consensus building among experts. We completed three Delphi rounds over a period of 4 weeks, and 16 experts participated in the study. Content analysis was done for open-ended responses, and consensus analysis was done for Likert-type scale questionnaire. In round three, we obtained their top five preferences for change in assessment. Results: The experts agreed to have an assessment system based on ongoing formative and one end-of-year summative assessment. Apart from this, they agreed on the various occasions for carrying out the formative assessment. Furthermore, they clearly agreed on measures such as blueprinting, improving test formats, and adequate briefing of test-taking students. Conclusion and Recommendations: Most of the consensus items were found to be in alignment with the modern assessment theory. Regulating body and policymakers should revise the current postgraduate assessment system in community medicine to enhance its validity and reliability.