Journal article
Dietetics students' construction of competence through assessment and placement experiences
Nutrition & Dietetics, Vol.75(3), pp.307-315
2018
Abstract
Aim: Competency standards are widely adopted as a framework to describe standards of performance required in the workplace. Little is known, however, about how students construct competence. This qualitative study aimed to explore how dietetics students ready to graduate construct the concept of competence and the role of assessment in developing professional competence.Methods: A qualitative description was used to gather data from a convenience sample of students ready to graduate from universities with accredited dietetics programs across Australia (10 out of 15 at the time of the study).A total of 11 focus groups were conducted to explore perspectives of competence and experiences of 'competency-based' assessment. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic analysis approach.Results: A total of 81 (n = 81) participants across 10 universities representing 22% of total students participated in the focus groups. Themes revealed that: (i) there is no shared understanding of competence; (ii) current work placement experiences may not reflect current standards or workforce needs; (iii) assessment approaches may not fully support the development of competence; and (iv) the competent performance of supervising dietitians/clinical educators in the workplace influences the construction of competence.Conclusions: There is a need to work towards a shared understanding of dietetic entry-level competence in the profession. 'Work-based' learning experiences may need to be modiï¬ed to ensure students meet current competency standards. Practitioners involved in student supervision need to acknowledge the influential role they have in the development of the future workforce.
Details
- Title
- Dietetics students' construction of competence through assessment and placement experiences
- Authors
- Claire Palermo (Corresponding Author) - Monash UniversityJaneane Dart (Author) - Monash UniversityAndrea Begley (Author) - Curtin UniversityEleanor J Beck (Author) - University of WollongongRachel Bacon (Author) - University of CanberraJudith Tweedie (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringL Mitchell (Author) - Griffith UniversityJudith Maher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringDanielle Gallegos (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyMeredith Kennedy (Author) - University of WollongongJane Kellett (Author) - University of CanberraClaire Margerison (Author) - Deakin UniversityRuth Crawford (Author) - Charles Sturt UniversityWendy Stuart-Smith (Author) - The University of Sydney
- Publication details
- Nutrition & Dietetics, Vol.75(3), pp.307-315
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1111/1747-0080.12359
- ISSN
- 1446-6368; 1446-6368
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2017 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. This is the accepted version of the following article: Palermo, Claire; Dart, Janeane; Begley, Andrea; Beck, Eleanor J; Bacon, Rachel; Tweedie, J; Mitchell, L; Maher, J; Gallegos, Danielle; Kennedy, Meredith; Kellett, Jane; Margerison, Claire; Crawford, Ruth; Stuart-Smith, Wendy (2017) Dietetics students' construction of competence through assessment and placement experiences. Nutrition and Dietetics, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12359
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450416502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
- Research Statement
- false
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