title: Measuring competence, self-reported competence and self-efficacy in pre-registration students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure competence, self-reported competence and self-efficacy; explore any differences between cohorts and student entry criteria; and explore the relationship between competence, self-reported competence, support and self-efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All students undertook a three-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and had previously completed a questionnaire, which included measures of self-reported competence, support and self-efficacy. The performance of two single year cohorts enabled measurement of competence development and progression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students were competent in the core generalist skills of communication and hand decontamination but demonstrated low levels of numeracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Doubts are raised about the explanatory value or practical use of social cognitive theory in pre-registration curricula and questions are raised about the value of self-reported competence. This has implications for nursing and midwifery curricula, which emphasise the importance of self-assessment.
authors.affiliation: University of Dundee. w.lauder@dundee.ac.uk
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lauder
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roxburgh
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Topping
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Behr
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013338:Students, Nursing; D006113:United Kingdom