Criterion-referenced testing in medical technology education: Professional Performance Situation Model

Area of Science:

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Professional Competency Assessment

Background:

• The Professional Performance Situation Model provides a framework for defining professional competence.
• Existing assessment methods may not fully capture the complexities of actual laboratory performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply the Professional Performance Situation Model to the medical technology profession.
• To develop criterion-referenced assessments for measuring professional competence in medical laboratory science.

Main Methods:

• Deriving situations from actual laboratory performance and clinical practice.
• Extrapolating skill and knowledge statements for expected performance.
• Designing criterion-referenced assessments, including multiple-choice items, checklists, and written simulations.

Main Results:

• Development of prototype instruments for assessing competence in medical laboratory sciences education.
• Demonstration of a systematic process for defining and measuring professional competence.
• Exploration of validity and implications for continued professional development.

Conclusions:

• The Professional Performance Situation Model offers a robust approach to defining and assessing medical laboratory professional competence.
• Criterion-referenced assessments derived from practice situations are effective for evaluating skills and knowledge.
• This model has implications for both initial education and ongoing professional competency evaluation.