ADAPTING OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS TO ASSESS SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE AND REFLECTIONS

Abstract

The development of standardized, valid, and reliable methods for assessment of students' practice competence continues to be a challenge for social work educators. In this study, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), originally used in medicine to assess performance through simulated interviews, was adapted for social work to include a reflective dialogue that focused on the ability to conceptualize practice. Participants included current MSW students, recent graduates, and experienced social workers. The study demonstrated promising reliability for the method and the rating tools developed. Correlations between performance and reflection scores demonstrated that they are related, yet different, aspects of competence. The method demonstrated construct validity in that it differentiated between social workers in training and experienced workers.