How to Do a Self-Evaluation of Your Performance: A Guide for Doctors
Why Self-Evaluation Matters
Self-evaluation is not just an academic exercise—it’s a vital part of becoming a safe, competent, and reflective practitioner. Regular self-assessment fosters continuous learning, helps identify strengths and limitations, and supports the development of clinical judgment and professional insight. It also contributes to better patient care and personal wellbeing. Far from being a checkbox for CPD, it’s a mindset that encourages curiosity, accountability, and growth.
When to Reflect
Self-evaluation works best when it's built into your routine. Many doctors find it useful to reflect every few months, at the end of each term, or in preparation for performance reviews. But it’s equally valuable to reflect in response to specific experiences—perhaps after a particularly difficult case, an unexpected outcome, a mistake, or even a moment of professional pride. Over time, these reflections form a kind of personal learning journal, helping you track your development and respond to challenges in real time.
What to Evaluate
A thorough self-evaluation should touch on the full scope of your work, not just your clinical skills. Begin by reflecting on your medical knowledge and decision-making. Consider how confidently you approach differentials, how effectively you integrate new evidence, and whether you're making safe and timely decisions. Then, assess your procedural competence—are you meeting expectations for your level, and are there skills you want to strengthen?
Communication is another essential area: think about your interactions with patients, families, and colleagues. Are you clear, empathetic, and respectful, even under pressure? Reflect on your role within the team—are you dependable, collaborative, and proactive? Your ability to manage time, prioritise tasks, and stay organised will significantly affect both your performance and stress levels.
Finally, consider your professionalism and wellbeing. Are you upholding ethical standards consistently? Are you taking care of yourself emotionally and physically? Being aware of your stress levels and coping strategies is key to avoiding burnout and sustaining your practice long-term.
Table 1: What to Evaluate (example)
A well-rounded self-assessment covers the following domains:
Clinical knowledge and decision-making:
Are you confident in your differentials and plans?
Do you stay current with guidelines?
Procedural and technical skills:
Are you comfortable with core procedures for your level?
Communication: How do you handle difficult conversations?
Do patients and colleagues understand you clearly?
Teamwork: Are you a reliable team member?
Do you contribute to a positive team dynamic?
Time and organisation:
Are you managing tasks and priorities well?
Professionalism and ethics:
Do you uphold standards even under pressure?
Wellbeing:
Are you coping well emotionally and physically with the demands of work?
How to Assess Yourself
There’s no single “right” way to do a self-evaluation, but combining methods tends to be most effective. Reflective writing is a simple, low-pressure approach—keeping a journal or jotting notes after a shift can help make sense of events and feelings. You might also use structured frameworks, such as the CanMEDS roles or the Medical Board of Australia’s professional standards, to guide your thinking and ensure you’re evaluating all aspects of your role.
Feedback from others is one of the most valuable tools for self-assessment. Ask colleagues, nurses, supervisors—or even patients—for their perspective when appropriate. Multisource feedback can highlight blind spots and validate areas where you're growing. Reviewing your clinical performance objectively, such as through audits, case reviews, or near-miss analyses, can also reveal important learning points.
Turning Reflection Into Action
The purpose of self-assessment isn’t just to observe your practice—it’s to improve it. Once you’ve identified areas for growth, translate them into concrete goals. Vague intentions like “I need to get better at procedures” won’t lead to change. Instead, use the SMART goal approach: make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example, rather than saying, “I want to improve my procedural skills,” you might commit to observing three central line insertions this month and practising under supervision at least once. For example, rather than deciding to “get better at ECGs,” you might aim to “review 10 ECGs per week and attend the next cardiology tutorial.”
Tying your goals to your CPD activities or discussing them with a supervisor can help embed them into your day-to-day development.
Recognising Bias and Blind Spots
It’s important to acknowledge that self-evaluation is prone to bias. We all have tendencies—some of us are overly critical and dismiss our progress, while others may overestimate our performance or avoid difficult areas. These blind spots can limit the accuracy and usefulness of reflection.
To overcome them, try to balance self-reflection with external feedback. Consider how your view aligns—or clashes—with what others observe. Having honest conversations with trusted mentors or peers can help clarify your insights and keep you grounded. Over time, this kind of reflective dialogue becomes a key part of your professional maturity.
Follow Through and Review
A one-time self-assessment is a good start, but real progress comes from following through. Try to make self-evaluation a regular part of your practice by adopting a cycle:
Reflect and assess your current performance
Set realistic, targeted goals
Take action to address those goals
Review your progress over time
Adjust your approach as needed
Keeping records of your reflections, goals, and progress allows you to track your development and prepare for term assessments, performance reviews, and CPD summaries. More importantly, it helps you stay engaged and motivated in your learning.
Creating a Culture of Growth
Ultimately, self-evaluation is not just about individual development—it’s about contributing to a culture of safety, reflection, and excellence in healthcare. When junior doctors embrace reflective practice early in their careers, they lay the groundwork for resilience, adaptability, and leadership. By being honest with yourself, acting on what you learn, and seeking support when needed, you become not just a better doctor—but a better learner and colleague as well.
Have you tried Self Evaluation? What did you learn? Do you have any tips? Leave your comments below