Clinically Oriented Readiness Evaluation (CORE): A Mechanism to Determine Clinical Experience Readiness
Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standard 4N requires program accountability in Òassuring students are safe and ready to progress to clinical education.Ó The inability to objectively assess comprehensive skills and predict student readiness for entering clinical experiences has implications for the program, student, clinic, and patient. Lack of readiness can result in lack of success, resulting in frustration, sadness, embarrassment, disappointment, and sometimes anger, as well as potential risks to relationships and loss of a clinical site in the future. As a result, a comprehensive, interactive, experiential assessment was designed to assess the cognitive, kinesthetic, affective, and critical thinking skills that are needed by the practicing physical therapist. This simulated patient experience was developed based on faculty, community clinicians, and student feedback, while on-going feedback from these stakeholders ensures alignment with student needs, contemporary practice, and CAPTE standards. Clinically Oriented Readiness Evaluation (CORE) outcomes assist in development of individualized student-centered remediation plans and personal learning plans for overall skill enhancement. In this session, a panel of speakers will provide an example of one strategy to address CAPTE 4N, including steps for development, assessment, rubric development, and outcomes. CORE also provides data for assessment of curriculum and faculty, and the opportunity to enhance clinical partnerships.