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Summary
This article contains information on how to complete a Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX).
What is the Mini-CEX tool?
The Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used to provide formative assessment as part of an approved training and development program and/or for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition.
It can be used to facilitate exploration of a pharmacist's clinical knowledge, critical thinking and problems solving skills during a real-time interaction with a clinical scenario.
The main outcome of the interaction between pharmacist and collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection of current clinical practice (knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving) in a chosen clinical setting or topic.
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) Process
The process for completing a Mini-CEX is as follows:
🧩 Prepare
🗓️ Engage
💭 Reflect
The pharmacist arranges a time suitable with the collaborator(s) to engage in the Mini-CEX process.
The pharmacist and collaborator should also confirm the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the Mini-CEX is to focus on.
The collaborator selects a patient
Short period of time for pharmacist to review the patient
Pharmacist presents the key clinical considerations in the patient case
Collaborator engages pharmacist in discussion to explore clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills through questions
The review, presentation and discussion should typically take 15-20 minutes.
Pharmacist and collaborator engage in reflection utilizing the positive critique method
Collaborator assists pharmacist to identify key development goals from the reflection utilizing the SMART goal method
The reflection and goal setting should typically take 10-15 minutes
The total time for a Mini-CEX should take between 20-30 minutes.
A Mini-CEX can be conducted in an appropriate working space that lends itself to privacy due to patient confidently and pharmacist comfort.
Choosing a Patient
To simulate a pharmacist's true ability to critically evaluate and problem solve, ideally a Mini-CEX should focus on a patient that is unfamiliar to the pharmacist. Therefore, it is most appropriate for the collaborator or a third party to choose a patient. Acknowledging that in some complex or specialized Mini-CEX cases this may be difficult.
Prior to the arranged time for the Mini-CEX the pharmacist and collaborator should confirm the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the Mini-CEX case will allow the pharmacist to show.
Examples:
Delivering a professional service
Vaccination
OTC request
Practice Recognition Level
The Mini-CEX Learning Experience is mapped to Domain 1 and 2 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.
Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. The pharmacist and collaborator should indicate on the learning experience tool which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. Please note that not all the domain 1 and 2 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.
Complexity
In some scenarios the same patient case may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the complexity and expected knowledge and skills expected to be displayed will vary.
The pharmacist and collaborator should come to an agreement on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the case in relation to the level of recognition the pharmacist is practicing at.
Collaborator
The collaborator must be familiar with the Mini-CEX assessment process.
Collaborators must be clinically competent in the clinical setting/topic being assessed in the Mini-CEX.
Collaborators may come from a variety of health professional backgrounds e.g. pharmacy, medical, surgical.
Further guidance for collaborators involved in this learning experience can be found here.
Reflection, Feedback & Goal Setting
The main aim of the Mini-CEX as a Learning Experience is to promote feedback and reflection of a pharmacist's current clinical practice (knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills) in a chosen clinical setting or topic. This feedback can cover the clinical aspects of the case as well as the methods that the pharmacist uses to review and present the case.
Skill Evaluation
Within the Mini-CEX tool there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; Not yet met, meets, exceeds or n/a.
Not yet met | Performance does not yet meet the expected for the indicated practice recognition level. |
Meets | Performance meets the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level. |
Exceeds | Performance is above the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level and is moving towards progression in recognition level. |
N/A | Key skill is not present in this particular professional experience. |
Feedback
The Mini-CEX tool encourages use of the Pendleton feedback method to guide reflection. This method encourages self-reflection and proactive discussions for development.
Development Goals
The pharmacist and collaborator are encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion.
Although some collaborators who are also supervisors or clinical educators in a formalized training program may choose to use this tool as an initiation for delivery of formal teaching, this is an extension of the Mini-CEX tool and not a requirement.
Forms and Templates
The Mini-CEX tool is available on the ANZCAP Digital platform. Ideally pharmacists and collaborators will enter relevant information into the digital tool in real time and confirm involvement and accomplishment of a Collaborative Learning Experience.
Alternatively, pharmacists may use Mini-CEX tools from their own workplace and upload it to the digital platform where they can then confirm completion of a Collaborative Learning Experience.
For further details on how to complete a Learning Experience on the ANZCAP digital platform please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Search the ANZCAP knowledgebase or Contact us with your questions or request further assistance.
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