P093: Performing the balancing act: emergency medicine physicians’ multifaceted roles and their influence on trainee assessment

Introduction: Competency-based workplace assessments are important in clinical training. However, feedback and assessment are still often perceived as unsatisfactory, particularly in busy settings such as emergency departments. Currently, little is known about how attending staff physicians sense of self may interface with the processes they use to assess and give feedback to trainees. We aimed to understand how attendings perceive their roles when tasked with conducting assessments and providing feedback to trainees. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with attendings (n=16) who used McMAP (McMaster Modular Assessment Program), a workplace-based assessment system at McMaster Universitys Royal College Emergency Medicine program. Attendings were recruited using snowball sampling. Data were interpreted using thematic analysis, sensitized to the dramaturgical lens and rater cognition frameworks. Results: Attendings identified themselves using three distinct but intimately connected roles when assessing trainee performance: the doctor that ensures the safety and well-being of patients; the coach (educator) that empowers, guides, and supports the next generation of medical doctors; and the assessor that formally assesses a trainees progression through the residency program. These roles are influenced by clinical training and experience, teaching experience and context. Conclusion: The ways in which attendings assess and provide feedback to trainees involve a complex and dynamic process that is influenced by their perceived roles as a doctor, coach, and assessor. Understanding the way attendings view and juggle their roles may provide insight into potentially new approaches to assessment and feedback. Results and implications will be discussed.