Workplace-based assessment: how to use case-based discussion as a formative assessment.

Workplace-based assessments are increasingly used as a way of gaining insight into clinician performance in real-life situations. Although some can be used to inform a summative (pass/fail) assessment, many have a much greater role in the formative assessment of trainees, and can be used as tools for teaching and training and in identifying the development needs of trainees. There is considerable variation between different European countries in the use of formative, workplace-based assessment, such as a structured case-based discussion (CbD), during training. This article gives an overview of how to use CbD as a formative assessment for higher specialist trainees, and gives access to a downloadable record form which can be used by trainers.