Medical professionalism in today's society requires the exhibition of a range of qualities deployed in the service of patients, rather than more traditionally defined aspects such as mastery, autonomy and self-regulation. These qualities incorporate demonstrated clinical competence; aspiring to excellence in practice while demonstrating humility…

Graduating nursing students (n=143) completed a critical-thinking skills test and disposition inventory and clinical competence evaluation. No significant correlation between critical thinking and clinical competence appeared. Critical thinking is possibly not associated with competence until after acquiring work experience. (SK)

The underlying structure of ratings of clinical competence was investigated. The instrument consisted of 33 statements on clinical behavior filled out by directors of medical education programs at postgraduate training institutions. It was concluded that ratings of clinical competence represent a multidimensional construct involving at least three…

The mini-CEX is widely used to rate directly observed resident-patient encounters. Although several studies have explored the reliability of mini-CEX scores, the dimensionality of mini-CEX scores is incompletely understood. Objective: Explore the dimensionality of mini-CEX scores through factor analysis and generalizability analysis. Design:…

The authors have found written simulations to be a useful tool for evaluation of the clinical performance of doctor of pharmacy students. An example of a simulation and the scoring technique are presented, and use of the simulations as an educational/counseling tool are discussed. (JMD)

A study involving 300 nursing students, 155 nurse practitioners, and 80 assessors tested a model of responsive assessment that includes identification of learning needs and potential, assignment to suitable placements, continuous assessment of clinical practice and patient care, and alignment of teaching and assessment with patient needs and…

Literature concerning the validity and reliability of both written and computer-based simulations in assessing clinical competence in the health professions is reviewed, and suggestions are given for the improvement of the psychometric qualities of simulation-based tests. (MSE)

Purpose: There is a paucity of evaluation forms specifically developed and validated for outpatient settings. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument specifically for evaluating outpatient teaching, to provide reliable and valid ratings for individual and group feedback to faculty, and to identify outstanding teachers…

The goal of this study was to create an evaluation tool that would be the new standard for evaluating clinical competencies of interns in the field of orientation and mobility (O&M). Using results from previous research in this area, specific competency skills were identified and the O&M Clinical Competency Evaluation Matrix (CCEM) was…

While Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) have become widely used to assess clinical competence at the end of undergraduate medical courses, the method of setting the passing score varies greatly, and there is no agreed best methodology. While there is an assumption that the passing standard at graduation is the same at all medical…

In a search for predictors of clinical competence, 50 third-year medical students studying pediatrics were videotaped during their interview and physical examination of outpatients. Consideration should be given to the possible value of psychological tests as predictors of clinical competence. (Author)

The construct validity of the standardized-patient (SP) examination used at Southern Illinois University (Springfield) School of Medicine was assessed by comparing 66 second-year and 70 fourth-year medical students on 5 SP cases. The results show sizable differences between the groups. The usefulness of passing rates the effect-size measures as a…

Describes the development and evaluation of clinical competence in psychology graduate students. Includes a rationale for instituting the procedures, a description of the development of the first competence examination, and a discussion of the findings. (JDH)

Relationships between faculty ratings and performance on components of the National Board of Medical Examiners Certifying Examination for Primary Care Physician's Assistants were investigated. Results show significant though modest correlation. One implication is that faculty members are able to make discrete judgements about students on more than…