Evaluating a Competency-Based Blended Health Professions Education Program: A Programmatic Approach. 2023

Anita Samuel, and Beth King, and Ronald M Cervero, and Steven J Durning, and John Melton
F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

Competency-based education (CBE) programs usually evaluate student learning outcomes at a course level. However, a more comprehensive evaluation of student achievement of competencies requires evaluation at a programmatic level across all courses. There is currently insufficient literature on accomplishing this type of evaluation. In this article, we present an evaluation strategy adopted by the competency-based master's degree program at the Center for Health Professions Education at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences to assess student achievement of competencies. We hypothesized that (1) learners would grow in the competencies through their time in the program and (2) learners would exhibit a behavioristic change as a result of their participation in the program. The degree program at the Center for Health Professions Education conducts an annual student self-assessment of competencies using a competency survey. The competency survey data from graduated master's students were collected, providing data from three time points: initial (pre-program survey), middle, and final (end-of-program survey). Open-ended responses from these three surveys were also analyzed. A general linear model for repeated measures was conducted. Significant effects were followed by post hoc tests across time. We also conducted post hoc analysis across domains to better understand the comparative levels of the domains at each time point. The responses to the open-ended prompt were thematically analyzed. Analysis of the quantitative data revealed that (1) learners reported significant growth across time, (2) learners had different perceptions of their competencies in each of the domains, and (3) not all domains experienced similar changes over time. Analysis of the free responses highlighted the impact of coursework on competency attainment and the behavioristic change in learners. This study presents a strategic evaluation tool for course-based CBE programs that follow a traditional credit hour model. Programmatic evaluation of CBE programs should enable the inclusion of the learner's voice and provide evaluation data that go beyond individual course evaluations.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002983 Clinical Competence The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care. Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D003162 Competency-Based Education Educational programs designed to ensure that students attain prespecified levels of competence in a given field or training activity. Emphasis is on achievement or specified objectives. Education, Competency-Based,Competency Based Education,Competency-Based Educations,Education, Competency Based,Educations, Competency-Based
D006281 Health Occupations Professions or other business activities directed to the cure and prevention of disease. For occupations of medical personnel who are not physicians but who are working in the fields of medical technology, physical therapy, etc., ALLIED HEALTH OCCUPATIONS is available. Health Professions,Health Occupation,Health Profession,Profession, Health,Professions, Health
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000076363 Academic Success Level of engagement in educationally purposeful activities, satisfaction, acquisition of desired knowledge, skills, and competencies, persistence and attainment of educational outcomes. Academic Achievement,Academic Achievements,Academic Successes,Achievement, Academic,Achievements, Academic,Success, Academic,Successes, Academic
D013334 Students Individuals enrolled in a school or formal educational program. School Enrollment,Enrollment, School,Enrollments, School,School Enrollments,Student

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