Sathekge, Mike Machaba2017-09-192017-09-192017-09Sathekge, M.M. 2017, 'Work-based assessment : a critical element of specialist medical training', South African Medical Journal, vol. 107, no. 9, pp. 728.0256-9574 (print)2078-5135 (online)10.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i9.12655http://hdl.handle.net/2263/62299In the recent Transactions, the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) states that work-based assessment (WBA) should be an essential part of an assessment system, alongside the national professional examination. One of the main reasons for highlighting this topic is the fact that assessment enables our profession to demonstrate our accountability, and our commitment to reflecting professional practice standards, sustaining competence, improving performance and engaging in continuous quality improvement.en© 2017 Health & Medical Publishing Group. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial Works License (CC BY-NC 3.0).Work-based assessment (WBA)Specialist medical trainingNational professional examinationAccountabilityQuality improvementPerformance improvementCompetenceProfessional practice standardsArticle