| dc.description.abstract | Following media reports and public complaints about inadequate practical skills among Clinical Officers, senior professionals have attributed the blame to UAHEB assessment that is alleged to be largely theoretical. We conducted Action research to identify and implement strategies for increasing practical content in UAHEB assessment. We then evaluated the effect of using a blueprint in setting on the nature of assessment of Clinical Officer trainees at UAHEB. We conducted an Action Research involving UAHEB secretariat staff, principals and directors of Clinical Officer training schools, tutors and instructors, setters, moderators, proof readers, and Clinical Officer trainees. We reviewed UAHEB past examinations, conducted a work process analysis, future workshop, and implementation workshop. We used a pre-tested questionnaire to assess stakeholders’ satisfaction with the use of a blueprint to set UAHEB examinations for Clinical Officer trainees. Past UAHEB examinations contained 40.7% practical content across the three years of study and 38.5% in examinations for the First Year of study. Setting test items was identified as the most critical step to address the problem. Using a blueprint in setting UAHEB examinations was identified as the most effective strategy to increase practical content in UAHEB assessment. In this study, a blue print means a tabulated plan outlining curriculum content, ranked according to significancy and specification of actions that the trainee is required to demonstrate in an assessment. Practical content in UAHEB assessment for the First year of study increased from 38.5% to 52.5% when a blueprint was used in setting assessments for Clinical Officer trainees. Therefore, using a blueprint in setting test items for the assessment of Clinical Officer trainees is an effective strategy to increase practical content in assessment at UAHEB. There is need to emphasize practical content while setting test items for DCM trainees, and UAHEB should train and support examiners to develop and use Test Blue Prints in setting test items for the assessment of clinical officer trainees and UAHEB should adopt using a Blueprint in setting test items for all her programs. | en_US |
