An investigation of the predictive validity of selection tools on performance in physiotherapy training in Australia

Abstract

Objectives: Despite a large body of research on selection in medical education, very little is conducted in other health professions. This study investigated the predictive validity of multiple selection tools on academic and clinical performance outcomes of undergraduate physiotherapy students.

Design: A retrospective observational study.

Setting: Undergraduate physiotherapy program in Australia.

Participants: 497 undergraduate physiotherapy students across seven entry cohorts. Including students directly from secondary school (n=381) and with prior tertiary study (n=116).

Main outcome measures: Academic performance as measured by written examinations. Clinical performance, measured by Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) during on-campus units and the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) for off-campus clinical placements. Predictor variables included selection tools (academic achievement, interview, aptitude test) and demographic variables (age, gender).

Results: Selection interview was a positive predictor of OSCEs and final year clinical performance in direct school leaver participants. Academic achievement scores from selection positively predicted written examinations scores.

Conclusion: Clinical and academic performance were predicted by tools measuring different domains at selection. Assessing broadly across academic and non-academic domains at selection can be valuable in identifying applicants who will be able to meet the range of outcomes for course completion and subsequent registration in the physiotherapy profession.

Keywords: Academic performance; Admission criteria; Clinical competency; Physiotherapy education.