Assessment Unit in Medical Education: Structure and Function

Assessment is a vital part of any educational process through which the desired learning outcomes are measured. Therefore, assessment, particularly in health professions education, should be designed, implemented, and evaluated meticulously. This requirement necessitates a particular entity to govern the assessment process in medical schools. The aim of this article was to explore the reflection of the authors in establishing, conducting and monitoring the assessment of students, and to explore the related structure, function, challenges and areas for improvement. The authors reflected on their experience establishing an assessment unit (AU) in a college of medicine and explored its structure, function, challenges, and areas for improvements. The main aim of an AU should be the supervision of the assessment process in the college, monitoring student achievements that fulfill the programme’s learning outcomes, and developing appropriate policies and procedures for student assessment to ensure fairness and validity of the assessment process. Several challenges facing the AU were identified, including devoted full-time personnel and sufficient fund allocation for this unit to build a holistic assessment practice using advanced technology. The establishment of an entity to assess and evaluate medical students should be a high priority. An AU or a similar entity should lead all assessment activities. It should have the authority to plan, create, and evaluate assessments and other evaluative tools. Moreover, it should serve as a consultant for all disciplines in the college and provide clear guidance and training in assessment practices.