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What is the Mini-CEX LX? 

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 the pharmacist and the collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection on current clinical practice (knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving) in a chosen clinical setting or topic.

Mini-CEX Process 

 The process for completing a Mini-CEX is as follows: 

A Mini-CEX should 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 ability to critically evaluate and problem solve, 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. In some complex or specialized Mini-CEX cases this may be difficult and the pharmacist themselves may need to identify an appropriate patient. 

Examples

• Delivering a professional service

• Vaccination

• OTC request

• Counselling on a new medication

• Completing a patient history at the bedside

Practice Recognition Level and Complexity

The Mini-CEX Learning Experience is mapped to:

• Domain 1 and 2 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 1 and 2 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

• Domain 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level.

Prior to the arranged time for the Mini-CEX the pharmacist and collaborator should agree on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the Mini-CEX case and confirm the practice recognition level that the case will allow the pharmacist to show. 

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. 

Collaborator

The collaborator must be familiar with the Mini-CEX assessment process. 

The collaborator must ensure that they have the required expertise and scope of practice to confidently provide the candidate with feedback on the 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 LX is to promote feedback and reflection on a pharmacist's current clinical practice (knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills) in a chosen clinical setting or topic. The feedback conversation 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 LX there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection conversation. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; not yet met, meets or exceeds.

Feedback

The Mini-CEX LX 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 developmental goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion. 

Forms and Templates 

All evidence of the Mini-CEX is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as a Collaborative Learning Experience (LX). For further step by step instructions on how to do this please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

If ANZCAP members wish to use a Mini-CEX form from their own organisation, the completed form may be uploaded into the Supporting Evidence section of the LX. (Please note that for the LX to become validated the candidate must still complete all sections marked with an asterisk (*) and the collaborator must document their involvement via the electronic collaborator declaration process).

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