Validity evidence and use of the IPEC Competency Self-Assessment, Version 3

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Practice
• Assessment and Evaluation

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) frameworks exist, but competency-based assessment is challenging.
• The IPEC Competency Self-Assessment was developed for IPE but factor analysis revealed two primary domains: Interprofessional Interaction and Interprofessional Values.
• Prior research indicated a need to revise the original 42-item measure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a revised, shorter version of the IPEC Competency Self-Assessment.
• To confirm the two-factor structure (Interprofessional Interaction and Interprofessional Values) of the assessment tool.
• To evaluate the reliability and usability of the revised instrument in assessing interprofessional competency.

Main Methods:

• A revised 19-item, two-factor scale was tested on a sample of 608 participants.
• Further refinement resulted in a 16-item instrument, validated with an additional sample of 676 participants.
• Internal consistency, factor loadings, and correlations with the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The 16-item instrument demonstrated good model fit and high internal consistency.
• Scores on both subscales varied based on prior healthcare experience and year of enrollment.
• The Interprofessional Interaction subscale included items from Teams/Teamwork, Communication, and Values/Ethics domains.
• The Interprofessional Values subscale comprised items solely from the Values/Ethics domain.
• Strong correlations were found between the revised scale and the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale.

Conclusions:

• The study validates a reliable and usable 16-item assessment tool for interprofessional competency.
• The findings suggest that interprofessional interaction and values constructs are differentially influenced by experience and training.
• Further longitudinal research is recommended to confirm these hypotheses regarding experience and training effects.