Validity of the formative physical therapy Student and Clinical Instructor Performance Instrument in the United States: a quasi-experimental, time-series study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the Student and Clinical Instructor Performance Instrument (SCIPAI), a novel formative tool used in physical therapist education to assess student and clinical instructor (CI) performance throughout clinical education experiences (CEEs). The researchers hypothesized that the SCIPAI would demonstrate concurrent, predictive, and construct validity while offering additional contemporary validity evidence.

Methods: This quasi-experimental, time-series study had 811 student-CI pairs complete 2 SCIPAIs before after CEE midpoint, and an endpoint Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) during beginning to terminal CEEs in a 1-year period. Spearman rank correlation analyses used final SCIPAI and CPI like-item scores to assess concurrent validity; and earlier SCIPAI and final CPI like-item scores to assess predictive validity. Construct validity was assessed via progression of student and CI performance scores within CEEs using Wilcoxon signed-rank testing. No randomization/grouping of subjects occurred.

Results: Moderate correlation existed between like final SCIPAI and CPI items (P<0.005) and between some like items of earlier SCIPAIs and final CPIs (P<0.005). Student performance scores demonstrated progress from SCIPAIs 1 to 4 within CEEs (P<0.005). While a greater number of CIs demonstrated progression rather than regression in performance from SCIPAI 1 to SCIPAI 4, the greater magnitude of decreases in CI performance contributed to an aggregate ratings decrease of CI performance (P<0.005).

Conclusion: The SCIPAI demonstrates concurrent, predictive, and construct validity when used by students and CIs to rate student performance at regular points throughout clinical education experiences.