3

Data gathering and interpretation

This competency is about the gathering and use of data for clinical judgement, the choice of examination and investigations and their interpretation.

Insufficient Evidence

From the available evidence, the doctor’s performance cannot be placed on a higher point of this developmental scale.

Needs Further Development

Obtains information from the patient that is relevant to their problem.

Competent

Systematically gathers information, using questions appropriately targeted to the problem.

Makes appropriate use of existing information about the problem and the patient’s context.

Excellent

Proficiently identifies the nature and scope of enquiry needed to investigate the problem.

Employs examinations and investigations that are broadly in line with the patient’s problem.

Identifies abnormal findings and results.

Chooses examinations and targets investigations appropriately.

Identifies the implications of findings and results.

Uses an incremental approach, basing further enquiries, examinations and tests on what is already known and what is later discovered.