The ACGME Common Program Requirements, stipulate that “the educational effectiveness of a program must be evaluated at least annually in a systematic manner." This is accomplished though the Annual Program Evaluation (APE). A Program Evaluation Committee (PEC) should be created to ensure that each program has undertaken and documented a systematic review process, on at least an annual basis.
To include in the APE
The following items should be included in an APE and submitted to GME:
- Program Goals and Objectives - include the effectiveness of the program in achieving these goals
- Annual Faculty Program Survey
- Annual Resident Program Survey
- GMEC Special Focus Review
- Annual Institutional GME Surveys
- ACGME Letters of Notification
- Annual Action Plans - the prior years’ action plans
- Annual ACGME Resident Survey - the most recent aggregate data from the ACGME ADS resident surveys
- Annual ACGME Faculty Survey - confidential written evaluations of the program submitted by residents
- Board Pass Rate - performance of graduates on the board certification exam
- In-service Scores
- Faculty Development - opportunities and needs (include faculty development activities)
- Resident/Faculty Scholarly Activity
- Graduate Placement
- Graduate Survey
- Match Data
- Recruitment Survey/Feedback
- Action Plan Reviewed & Approved by Core Faculty - specific action plans developed to address deficiencies and approved by faculty (include minutes approving Action Plan Review by Core Faculty)
- Program Evaluation Committee (PEC) - minutes and attendance of this meeting and action plan must be completed.
- Program Goals and Objectives - include the effectiveness of the program in achieving these goals
The presence of a Program Evaluation Committee and the need for an Annual Program Evaluation have been requirements for a number of years.
In NAS, the ACGME has provided a better defined and detailed structure for programs to use in evaluating the program.
Other APE Resources