Evaluating clinical placement performance: What is important to measure?
Simmons, L., Barker, Ruth, Barnett, Fiona, and McGuckin, Teneale (2024) Evaluating clinical placement performance: What is important to measure? In: ANZAHPE 2024: Cultivating Innovation Abstract Book. 183. From: ANZAHPE 2024 Festival, 1-4 July 2024, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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Abstract
Introduction/Background Evaluating clinical placement is generally specific to a single element of student experience or a specific learning outcome related to a single health profession. However, to effectively evaluate the performance of clinical placement, all elements of the experience that are deemed to be important must be considered together. Therefore, any evaluation of clinical placement needs to be consultative, collaborative and comprehensive, so that clinical placement performance can be accurately assessed across different healthcare settings. Understanding important areas of measurement will enable key stakeholders to effectively evaluate clinical placement and will offer the opportunity for standardisation and comparability, but more importantly, it will measure the quality of placement experience, enable quality improvement and enhance educational opportunities. The objective of this study was to develop consensus on important areas of measurement needing to be included in the evaluation of clinical placement performance.
Methods Eighteen experts were recruited to a heterogeneous panel for a modified Delphi study. Three rounds of surveys were conducted to establish consensus on what is important to measure when evaluating clinical placement performance. Quantitative data were analysed to determine consensus with ≥70% agreement, and qualitative responses were thematically analysed.
Results/Evaluation Forty seven areas of measurement for the evaluation of clinical placement were identified with consensus achieved on 44 areas relating to four overarching themes: Learning Outcomes, Experience of Placement, Cost of Placement and Research in Clinical Placement.
Discussion This study has established a comprehensive list of areas related to the measurement of clinical placement performance that can be used to guide clinical placement quality and sustainability through ensuring intended learning outcomes, maintaining stakeholder relationships, and addressing cost concerns.