Clinicians' perceptions of self-assessment in clinical practice

Department of Physical Therapy, Fletcher Allen Health Care/Medical Center Hospital of Vermont Campus, Burlington 05401, USA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE. Self-assessment may be a way for clinicians to focus on continued clinical competence. Self-assessment is the clinicians' ability to assess their skills, identify their educational needs, evaluate their progress, and determine the strengths and weaknesses of their performance. The purpose of this study was to describe selected physical therapists' perceptions of self-assessment in their clinical practice. SUBJECTS. The subjects were four practicing physical therapists who were willing to discuss the topic of self-assessment. METHODS. A qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews generated the data for analysis. RESULTS. The themes related to self-assessment of competence, patient outcome, and professional development were identified as a result of this study. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION. Within these three themes of self-assessment, the subjects wanted to improve themselves as clinicians to be better able to serve their patients.

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