We investigated causes of interrater disagreements in the observational assessment of clinical training for first-year postgraduate trainees. In 1998 25 first-year postgraduates rotated through the Second Department of Surgery for 3 months, including 1 month in cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, and upper-gastrointestinal surgery. Each trainee cared for several patients at most with a senior resident under the supervision of senior staff members. Nine attending physicians (staff members), 3 doctor-course graduates, and 2 chief residents assessed the trainees at the end of the rotation with special reference to clinical, social, and supervisory abilities. Trainees were given scores of “Good, ” “Fair, ” “Pass, ” or “Fail” for each ability. Interrater disagreements often involved responsibility and activeness, which reflected social abilities, and rapid patient consultations, orderly arrangement of laboratory examinations and procedures, and avoiding ordering of unnecessary laboratory examinations and medications, which reflected supervisory abilities. Assessments of poorly performing trainees often disagreed. Some interrater disagreements were seen among 4 of 14 attending physicians, but disagreements were fewer among the 3 doctor-course graduates and 2 chief residents who were graduates of the college. Both the proper training of assessors and a good relationship between assessors and rotators are necessary to make appropriate evaluations that might affect the career of postgraduates trainees.

Since its outbreak in 2019, COVID-19 has significantly impacted human lives worldwide. It has caused millions of deaths globally, as well as profound confusion and turmoil among medical professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical professionals have realized the challenges of controlling infectious diseases and the need to update their knowledge and skills to manage them better. This study examines physicians’ experiences of COVID-19 through an alumni survey conducted at Asahikawa Medical University faculty of medicine in Japan (final sample: 3,105 alumni since the university’s establishment in 1973). It draws important implications to enhance continuing education to prepare for future pandemics. An online questionnaire was developed and administered to investigate the alumni’s experiences with COVID-19, as well as their medical specialty and opinions on medical education. The response rate was 21.9%, with 680 responses collected out of the 3,105 questionnaires sent. Results show that the top three important items from participants’ experiences are infectious disease control and prevention (90.7%), acquisition of accurate knowledge on infectious diseases (85.1%), and providing accurate information on infectious diseases (83.6%). Furthermore, multiple coders conducted content analysis of free text data regarding other important elements. They identified the following major themes: information literacy, difficulty in risk management, medical treatment and healthcare system, and prejudice against medical workers and their families. Continuing education can be improved by incorporating alumni’s experiences with COVID-19 to better prepare for future pandemics.