Consultation-liaison outcome evaluation system, part i teaching applications

Designed to assess clinical outcomes quantitatively, the Consultation-Liaison Outcome Evaluation System, Part I, includes methodologies to measure the frequency of and concordance with recommendations made by psychiatric consultants in three areas: Recommendations for psychotropic medication, recommendations for diagnostic action, and representation of psychiatric diagnoses. Using these parameters, the performance of three psychiatric trainees was monitored for a 6-month period. The outcomes obtained by the trainees were compared with normative rates achieved by a group of previous psychiatric consultants. The comparison provides a unique perspective on the trainees’ progress with several teaching implications. First, it focuses clinical teaching on comprehensive and objective measures of a trainee’s performance. Second, it assists in curriculum design. Third, it emphasizes to trainees the necessity of altering one’s clinical behavior based on results achieved. Finally, it suggests that clinical accountability can contribute to the teaching of clinical excellence.