Use of electronic logbook in psychiatry training and its relevance during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Sir,

Accurate evaluations and assessments are of prime importance for maintaining the standard of medical training. Traditionally, the battery of assessment tools used as summative and formative assessment’s purpose (Schuwirth and Van der Vleuten, 2011). But, having an assessment tool of precision is a challenge yet to meet in medical training, especially in psychiatry (Bhugra and Malik, 2011). The need for an alternative or a robust assessment system strongly felt during the ongoing stringent condition of the COVID-19 pandemic, where some traditional assessment methods are rendered impractical or unsafe. The specific requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic in the background of growing demand for psychiatrists and the opening of a row of newer medical institutions concern the level of psychiatry training (Philip et al., 2021; Richards and DeBonis, 2020). Here we intend to discuss and highlight the utility of an electronic logbook for post-graduate psychiatry training, which perhaps can answer some of our quests.

A logbook is a “verified record of the learner’s progression documenting the acquisition of the requisite knowledge, skills, attitude and competencies” (Medical council of India, 2020). It is considered a continuous formative assessment and recommended to use even as an electronic form for post-graduate psychiatry training (Medical council of India, 2020). Though the concept of an electronic logbook is not new, its utility in psychiatry training is yet to explore in India. An e-logbook has several advantages over a traditional paper-pen logbook due to the ease of recording, storage, and data analysis (Sehmbi and Shah, 2013). We conceptualize two model electronic logbooks for psychiatry training that can utilize as per the requirement and available resources in the institution or department.

1. Offline or asynchronous type electronic logbook

An offline or asynchronous electronic logbook does not require an internet connection; data entered and stored manually in a computer using database management software, spreadsheet or Microsoft excel, or Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®), depending on the available resources.

This model advantage of better data control and security, no third party access, require minimal or no internet connectivity and does not warrant much technical competency (Fig. 1 ). The disadvantages are the risk of data loss; data needs to be backup manually by using an internal or external Hard disk drive (HDD).

Fig. 1.

Students posted in a clinical area (ex. Clinical Area A) make required entries in a computer placed in that area. The data from various areas compiled to assess the performance of the student.

2. Online or synchronous type electronic logbook

An online e-logbook uses a database program or Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) with a device connected to the internet, unlike an offline logbook. The cost involves may vary from freely available eLogbook software to expensive database programs used at the departmental or university level. The safety can compromise due to third-party access and data theft; usually, good security features are needed, such as a unique user name and password for admission, a one-time password (OTP) and an updated anti-virus subscription. It has technical advantages to access by multiple devices and connected to the internet anywhere anytime, and data usually auto-backup (Fig. 2 ). Online e-logbook enables learners to see their performance, peer assessment and supervisors feedback in real-time (Sehmbi and Shah, 2013). This model has a better acceptance, significant degree of transparency and flexibility to upgrade with advancing technology (Iqbal et al., 2015).

Fig. 2.

eLogbook with an extension of auto-reminder, e-calendar, accessibility to see peer performance, supervisor feedback, and the student's real-time performance.

The eLogbook can potentially use with e-learning tools, e-calendar and auto-reminder, to provide an edge for better organization and time management of the student. The academic roster can sync with the e-calendar, and the student gets the alert and reminders for an upcoming educational event on their smartphone. An eLogbook with such sophistication is not just an eLogbook but a robust training tool and a new horizon for futuristic psychiatry training (Fig. 2). The relevance of the electronic logbook further appreciated in context to the COVID-19 pandemic or any natural disaster wherein examination cannot be carried out in the physical presence of the examiner. Sharing an electronic logbook provide a comprehensive longitudinal report of student performance is much more sophisticated, helping proper decision making by the examiner along with other summative assessments.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.