title: Identification of core educational goals and related outcome measures for development of assessment programs in selected schools of allied health.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine important core educational goals and valid, feasible outcome measures to assess the goals in schools of allied health in academic health centers. The study also attempted to identify potential problems associated with using these outcome measures. The population included all allied health deans in public academic health centers accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Questionnaires with Likert scales were designed to gather opinions utilizing the Delphi technique. Deans identified 13 important core educational goals and 84 outcome measures they perceived to be both valid and feasible to assess these goals. Outcome measures that require collection of highly objective data obtained from student or university records were considered most valid and feasible. Problems included inconsistency in definitions of outcomes, lack of appropriate methodology, and costs associated with developing instruments and collecting data. The results of this study indicate that there are a number of common educational goals and valid feasible outcome measures that schools can select to fit their unique needs, but potential problems must be addressed to ensure full and fair representation of the school's performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7772, USA.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States