Use of a computerized evaluation system in a psychiatry clerkship.

OBJECTIVE Paper-based evaluations of medical students on clerkships are inefficient and time consuming to compile and analyze. To improve the evaluation process, the authors developed a web-based program. METHODS A secure web-based system was designed to collect evaluations of students and their feedback about the clerkship. Acceptance, compliance, and impact of the web-based system on the clerkship were assessed. RESULTS The web-based program was universally accepted by medical students who have been 100% compliant with prompt completion of their evaluations of the rotation. Most of the preceptors have utilized the program, resulting in a more timely receipt of their evaluations of students. The web-based program computes numerical scores, compiles comments, and formats reports. The clerkship director has unlimited access to all of the data, which allows for efficient and timely communication with preceptors, medical students, and the dean's office. CONCLUSIONS During the clerkship, the web-based program for evaluation and feedback has improved the efficiency of the evaluation process and the timely communication with students and preceptors.