Evaluation of residency programs: a novel approach using simulation.

Abstract Background In Canada, there has been discussion about restructuring the accreditation process for residency education programs with the possibility of exempting selected programs from regular, on-site, external reviews. Objective We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a structured and rigorous internal review that identified program strengths and weaknesses, with the aim of allowing well-performing programs to be exempt from external reviews or to facilitate a significant lengthening of the review cycle. Methods We simulated all aspects of a regular, on-site, external review. All participants (program directors, program coordinators, faculty surveyors, and resident surveyors) were trained and performed all components of a formal external review. Participants completed an online survey to assess perceptions of the process and outcome. Results The overall response rate was 73% (109 of 149). Most respondents perceived the process to be either extremely or very rigorous (84%), fair (82%), a...