title: Utility of a brief self-efficacy scale in clinical training program evaluation.
abstract: Self-efficacy is often studied as a predictor of professional practice behaviors or as an outcome of clinical training, using brief scales with little validation. This study examines the utility of a brief self-efficacy scale in the evaluation of a clinical training program. Subjects were 119 registered dietitians who participated in diabetes training. Hypothesized relationships between self-efficacy ratings and indices of skill mastery, participation in training, and subsequent practice change were examined. Self-efficacy ratings after training correlated significantly with relevant prior experience (r = .4 and .29, p < .01) but not total experience and with knowledge post-test score (r = .21, p < .02). Self-efficacy for all 12 program objectives increased significantly after training. Post-training self-efficacy for two program objectives correlated significantly with self-reported successful practice changes related to those objectives (r = .4, p < .04 and r = .51, p < .01). The data suggest that brief self-efficacy assessments can contribute meaningfully to clinical training program evaluation.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Peoria, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education*; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000592:standards*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*