Policy on Narrative Assessment in Phase 1 Courses

  • Responsible: Office of Educational Affairs, Senior Associate and Associate Deans
  • Audience: Students, Faculty, Staff
  • Approved by: CCIA Approval Date: 2/5/2025 Previous Approval: 10/02/2024
  • LCME Element: 9.5 Narrative Assessment
  • Other Related Standards: 9.7 Formative Assessment and Feedback

Policy

The College is committed to providing students with individualized narrative assessment, defined as written commentary by a faculty member regarding a student’s academic performance or professional development. During the Phase 1 curriculum such narrative assessment will be provided in each of the longitudinal courses, as follows:

  • At least once per block (Blocks 1-7) during the Doctoring and Clinical Skills courses. These assessments may include reviews of case write-ups, feedback on other assignments completed during the course, and the final, summative narrative at the end of each term.
  • At least once within each year of the Medical Colloquia course. This involves assessment of students’ written work, such as the final “Insight Paper” reflections.
  • At least once per term in Synthesis. Professional development faculty group leaders provide narrative feedback (formative only) on one or more written assignments related to professional identity, career development, or wellness.
  • As the curriculum evolves, should any additional Phase 1 courses offer the opportunity for students to have four or more sessions in group of 8 or fewer students with the same instructor at each session, students will receive at least one narrative assessment per course or per term.