Examining Methods to Assess Core Knowledge Competencies: A Canadian Perspective

摘要

We agree with White, Jankowski, and Shelton (2014) that professionalization of health care ethics practice requires serious consideration of a written examination to assess core knowledge competencies. If a written examination were to be the first step of a four-step certification process (Smith et al. 2010), then it makes sense to devote some thinking to the oversight and content of such an examination, particularly given that the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH) quality attestation process (Kodish and Fins 2013) is already developing step 2 (case portfolio development and evaluation) and step 4 (oral examination). In the following commentary, we (1) explore how a written core knowledge examination may be beneficial to an established Canadian Fellowship program; (2) outline additional domains we believe should be covered in assessing core knowledge competencies for Canadian practicing health care ethicists (PHEs); and (3) suggest that some core knowledge domains may not be appropriate for a national certification examination and would be better assessed through an accredited fellowship program.