Competency Characteristics according to Duty Domain

Abstract

[Purpose] In recent years, from the viewpoint of medical education reform, the implementation of competency diagnosis, as an assessment method of specialists’ practical abilities, has garnered attention, and this study investigated whether competency shows different characteristics depending on the examinees’ duty domains. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 150 physical therapists (age, 35.1 ± 7.3 years; clinical experience, 11.6 ± 6.8 years) with 5 or more years of clinical experience who were working at 18 facilities in 8 prefectures. An examination of their competency in basic societal skills was conducted via the internet, and the characteristics of 5 professional duty domains were compared. [Results] There were significant differences in “ability to respond to requests,” and “ability to act competently” between the acute stage and at-home stage duty domains, and in “ability to act independently” between the convalescent stage and educational institution duty domains. [Conclusion] Differences appeared in the characteristics of the work required according to the type of institution and work. This diagnostic method is very versatile, and its use in competency and attitude appraisals is anticipated.