Designing a Valid & Reliable Tool for Assessing the Occupational Therapist\'s Clinical Competency

Abstract

Objective: The aim of study was to design a valid and reliable tool for assessing the occupational therapists’ clinical competency. Materials & Methods: It was a tool-making study. Many clinical competency statements were extracted from evidences and with two expert-panels helped to emerge a questionnaire with sixty-six statements in seven categories. Face and content validity were confirmed by Lawshe method. Reliability was confirmed by pilot study, test-retest and internal consistency. Results: Occupational therapists’ clinical competency assessment tool was made with 54 questions in seven categories (critical thinking, practice process, effective communication, professional responsibilities, management of practice environment, practice knowledge, engage in professional development). Face and content validity confirmed by 15 experts CVR=0.84. Reliability (stability) was approved by pilot study, test-retest and Pierson correlation coefficient 0.995 and Cronbach’s alpha 0.973 confirmed internal consistency. Conclusion: Appropriate tool to assess the occupational therapists’ clinical competency was made with 54 statements in seven categories. Its validity was approved by Lawshe method and reliability was approved by pilot study in 30 people