Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Defining the construct of Masters level clinical practice in healthcare based on the UK experience
Alison Rushton1, Geoff Lindsay
1School of Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, 52 Pritchatts Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands CV7 7EZ, UK. a.b.rushton@bham.ac.uk
Background:
Growing emphasis on Masters level provision has been facilitated by the migration of education into Higher Education and the requirement for Continuing Professional Development. Paralleling this has been the development of specialisation in clinical practice. These factors have contributed to a proliferation of Masters courses aiming to develop specialist clinical practice.
Aims:
The aim of the study was to define the behaviours that are indicative of the construct of masters level clinical practice, using the UK experience as an example.
Method:
A modified Delphi study employed a total population sample of course tutors of masters courses (nursing/midwifery, physiotherapy, radiography, interprofessional) in the UK assessing clinical practice (n = 48). Round 1 requested behaviours indicative of the construct of Masters level clinical practice. Data were analysed through descriptive coding identifying emerging themes to inform the behaviours included in round 2 that asked the participants to rank the importance of each behaviour on a 1-5 scale. Round 3 requested ranking the importance of the different behaviours to the construct. Descriptive analysis and the use of Kendall's coefficient of concordance and Spearman's rho enabled interpretation of consensus in rounds 2 and 3.
Results:
The response rate for the Delphi study was very good. There was good consensus amongst the 28 behaviours identified for round 1. The second round enabled 21 behaviours agreed to be very important indicators of the construct to be taken into round 3. The ranking process in round 3 highlighted the importance of for example, a critical approach to practice and advanced clinical reasoning.
Conclusion:
The resulting 20 behaviours demonstrate good measurement validity and external validity. The components of the construct can therefore be used as the basis for further research.
Related Concept Videos
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Traditional Level Of Health Care System
The preventive healthcare service includes tests for screening. Preventive health care services include identifying and reducing disease risk...
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Nursing Clinical Information System
A Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS) is a specialized type of healthcare information system tailored to meet the unique needs of nursing practice. It incorporates the principles of nursing informatics to streamline information management and improve the quality of care delivery.
Critical attributes of NCIS include:
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
