Assessing performance


This topic as described by Lake (2005) remains a vexed question. Over the last few years there has been trials of different strategies to assess performance of emerging health professional during clinical or professional experience. Significant funding has been awarded to develop models and test methods of measuring performance. There is still no one method that is used as different models of clinical supervision are used in different health care settings and are legislated differently in different States within Australia. This author succinctly discusses the processes involved in assessment during work integrated learning. Lake (2005) begins the article by acknowledging that no one method can be used to assess performance. She states that a range of specific assessments can provide data that gives a holistic picture of progress. She also states that reliability of assessing performance may be problematic it can be minimised by using a range of strategies.

Lake (2005) indicates that:

  • outcomes of care;
  • the process of care or
  • the volume of care can be triangulated and used to measure performance.

These indicators have inherent problems though. The challenges include lack of objectivity; the ‘halo’ effect; personality traits of the learner; time between training and assessment; and the relationship of learn and assessor.

The author provides suggestions to maximise assessment of performance. Lake (2005) suggests ensuring the assessor observes the learner undertaking clinical activities; ensure observation of communication between different groups of people within the workplace. This includes clients, relatives, health professionals and other staff. Observe the learners professional skills including the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour related to learning, time management or punctuality. Furthermore, Lake (2005) suggests that learners are assessed multiple times by multiple people. She comments that expectations need to be expressed at the beginning of any clinical or professional experience placement. Lastly this author as mentioned in previous blogs suggests finding suitable assessable moments. The topics of feedback and self-assessment are also mentioned.

If you have comments about assessing performance you are welcome to post them here or you can join me on Twitter @PEPCommunity.

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