Mental workload as a tool for understanding dual processes in rater-based assessments

摘要

Given that I have a PhD in cognitive psychology, I am always interested in papers that apply research from that area to medical education. Therefore, it was with considerable interest that I read the paper "Exploring the impact of mental workload on rater-based assessments" by Tavares and Eva in this issue of AHSE. The central thesis of the paper is that one explanation for issues that occur with rater-based assessments is that there is a mismatch in terms of the mental workload required to make an assessment and the cognitive capacity a rater has available. As noted by the authors, the type of rating tasks that we give to raters can be very complex.