2009 OTR Student Conclave presentation
Transcript of 2009 OTR Student Conclave presentation
REALITIES & MYTHS OF THE OTR® EXAMINATION
Margaret Bent, PhD, OTRManaging Director, Competency Assessment, NBCOT®
Session Overview:
How the examination is createdLayout of the OTR examinationFormat of examination itemsPreparation and study toolsFeedback from recent candidatesSample items
PRACTICE ANALYSISWHAT IS TESTED ON THE NBCOT EXAMINATION?
Practice Analysis
• NBCOT routinely conducts practice analysis studies to identify:▫ Domains▫ Tasks▫ Knowledge
• Required for competent practice as an OTR®
• Results of the study are used to develop the examination specifications
Example of Domain, Task, Knowledge
Domain: Gather information regarding factors that influence occupational performance
Task: Identify environments and contexts using appropriate theoretical approaches or models of practice in order to determine facilitators and/or barriers that impact the client’s participation in occupationKnowledge of: Theoretical approaches and models of practice
OTR Examination Blueprint
Domain Description% of Exam
01 Gather information regarding factors that influence occupational performance 13%
02Formulate conclusions regarding the client’s needs and priorities to develop a client‐centered intervention plan
28%
03Select and implement evidence‐based interventions to support participation in areas of occupation throughout the continuum of care
39%
04 Uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice 20%
First Sample Item!
An OTR working in an outpatient clinic is scheduled to evaluate a 5‐year‐old child who has pervasive developmental disorder. What should the OTR do FIRST when gathering information as part of the initial evaluation with this child?
A. Screen the child’s current self‐care abilities.
B. Discuss the child’s history with the caregiver.
C. Complete a standardized motor test.
D. Conduct an open‐ended interview with the child.
And the correct answer is…
B. Discuss the child’s history with the caregiver.
This will help identify present level of performance in different occupational roles prior to screening and assessment.
Determining the Domain, Task, and KnowledgeDomain 01: Gather information regarding factors that
influence occupational performance
Task 0101: Evaluate the client on an ongoing basis using appropriate tools, procedures, and protocols in order to determine factors that impact participation in occupation
Knowledge 010101:
Information gathering processes and procedures (e.g. observation, interview, client records)
Myth or Reality?My exam was
mostly pediatrics.The exam is based on all the information we’ve covered in our OT
curriculum.NBCOT changes
exam blueprints on an annual basis.
Myth
Myth
Myth
Format Of The OTR Examination
• Computer delivered• 4‐hours• Examination consists of:▫ 3 Clinical Simulation (CS) Problems▫ 170 Multiple‐Choice (MC) test items▫ Within these totals there are a number of field‐test items
• There are optional tutorials before the CS and MC components of the exam
Myth or Reality?
The field‐test items are always the last items on
the examination.
If I skip the tutorials, I will have more time
to take the examination.
I don’t like testing on computers, I can request a paper
examination right?
Myth
Myth Myth
The computer randomly selects those items that will
not be scored once the exam is submitted for scoring.
Myth
Format of Examination
Candidates need to achieve a score of 450 or above to passScore based on accumulative performance across CS and MC items
Myth or Reality?My score is simply a % of
correct items.
I scored 447. I can ask NBCOT to review my fieldwork
evaluation to make up the additional 3 points. I’ve failed the examination 3
times. I can request NBCOT to rescore based on the average of the 3 previous
attempts, correct?
Myth
Myth
Myth
Clinical Simulation
What is CS testing?It is a format of assessment designed to simulate various types of focused experiences that OTR encounter in practice.
Clinical Simulation
The items are designed to measure a candidate’s knowledge and critical reasoning ability sequentially across the continuum of care:
ScreeningFormulating conclusions regarding treatment needs and prioritiesImplementing interventionsAssessing outcomes
Clinical Simulation Problem Makeup
An opening sceneSections with section headersA series of decision/action statements
Opening Scene
Section Heading
Decision/Action List
• Positive responses▫ Optimal route▫ Points awarded if you select this response
• Neutral responses▫ May be helpful, but not absolutely necessary in solving the problem
▫ Points neither awarded nor deducted
Decision/Action List
• Negative responses▫ Hinder or distract from solving the problem▫ May be harmful to the client▫ Points deducted if you select these options
Format & Flow of CS Problem
You should select the decision/action you deem appropriate from the list of options provided.As the decision/action statement is selected, a feedback box will appear.Feedback contains information regarding the consequence of selecting that decision.
Feedback Boxes
CS Summary
Each simulation item has an opening scene, sections with section headers, and associated decision/action lists. Once you have checked a decision/action from the list you are NOT ABLE TO DESELECT the decision/action. You may review previous screens but CANNOT DE‐SELECT OR ADD ADDITIONAL RESPONSES.
Myth or Reality?I’ve heard the CS
problems are much harder than the MC
items.If I do well on the CS problems, I’m likely to pass the exam overall.
It’s to my advantage to click all the decision statements in each section – that way I’m bound to
select the correct answers.
Myth
Myth
Myth
Format of Multiple Choice Items
• Question stem• 4 response options▫ 1 correct answer▫ 3 distracters
Another sample item …
Which functional activity provides the MOST information about a client’s range of active shoulder flexion?
A. Putting on knee‐high socks and lace‐up shoes
B. Moving a container from an overhead shelf to a table
C. Putting on a short sleeve front‐opening shirt
D. Folding a standard size bath towel on a countertop
And the correct answer is…
B. Moving a container from an overhead shelf to a table
This is the best activity to enable the OTR to access the client’s level of active shoulder flexion
Determining the Domain, Task, and Knowledge
Domain 02: Formulate conclusions regarding the client’s needs and priorities to develop a client‐centered intervention plan
Task 0203: Develop an occupation‐based intervention plan by selecting intervention strategies and approaches consistent with prioritized needs and best practice in order to facilitate client outcomes
Knowledge 020301 Activity analysis methods related to client roles, habits and routines, and current abilities
Format of MC Items
During the exam, you can use “mark” and “unmark” buttons to flag items to review at a later stageIf time permits, you can return to marked items and insert or change your response option prior to submitting the exam for scoring
Myth or Reality?
If the exam clock ends, the “marked” items I answered but did not “unmark” will be submitted for scoring.
There are 150 MC items on the OTR examination.
Reality
Myth
Official NBCOT Study Tools
• Examination Readiness Tools• Official NBCOT OTR Study Guide• Online Practice Tests▫ MC and CS
• Online Content Tests
Examination Readiness Tool
Excellent place to start!Helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses across areas of the examination blueprintUse the results to structure a personal study planFree to download at www.nbcot.org
NBCOT Official OTR Certification Examination Study Guide• Comprehensive overview of what to expect:▫ Format of the examination▫ What to expect on the test day▫ How the examinations are scored
• Proven strategies for taking high stakes examinations• Sample practice items – with answer keys, rationales and references
Online Practice Tests
Designed to mirror the experience of taking the exams on computer.Available to take 24 hours a day from anywhere you have Internet access.Score report instantly displays overall test score and feedback about performance across major areas of the examination blueprint.
Simulation Practice Tests
Experience first hand what it’s like to take a simulation problem from opening scene through accompanying sections of the problem.Feedback provided response‐by‐response as you make your selections.Score report at the end provides feedback about your performance on the test.
Simulation Tutorial
Take a CS tutorial!Go to www.nbcot.orgView screens that show the format and flow of CS problems
Content Tests
Contain practice items in the areas of:Physical disabilitiesMental healthPediatricsAdministration
Provides item‐level feedback as soon as the candidate clicks a response button.Rationales and follow up references.
Myth or Reality?After I take a practice test, I can compare my answers with the correct answers.If I pass the online practice
test, I am guaranteed to pass the real exam.
The Official NBCOT study tools contain the same items that appear
on the real certification exam.All published study guides and exam prep
courses are approved and endorsed by NBCOT.
Myth
Myth
Myth
Myth
Feedback from recent candidates
Feedback from Recent Candidates
Post‐examination email surveyResponse rates
Results filtered – passing first time; passing repeat; failing first time; failing repeat
Surveys Mailed
SurveysCompleted
% Response
OTR 1861 566 30%
COTA 1350 349 26%
Time Between Graduating and Taking the NBCOT OTR Examination
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
0‐2 months
3‐5 months
6‐9 months
10‐13 months
14+ months
Failing ‐ repeat
Failing ‐ first time
Passing ‐ repeat
Passing ‐ first time
Did your OT Program incorporate clinical reasoning problems as part of your academic coursework (OTR)?
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes No
Passing ‐ first time
Passing ‐ repeat
Failing ‐ first time
Failing ‐ repeat
Did your OT Program incorporate case studies as part of your academic coursework (OTR)?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Yes No
Passing ‐ first time
Passing ‐ repeat
Failing ‐ first time
Failing ‐ repeat
Current Primary Work Setting OTR Respondents
Primary Populations Served OTR Respondents
Another sample item…
An OTR in a community‐based setting is evaluating the effectiveness of an OT program for clients who have a chemical dependency disorder. The goal of the program is to support healthy lifestyle choices. Which method would provide the MOST USEFUL information about the program outcomes?
A. Analyzing occupational profiles of clients who attended every scheduled session
B. Observing social interactions among clients during the sessions
C. Gathering occupational profiles at the start and end of the program
D. Surveying leisure habits before, during and at set intervals after the program
And the correct answer is…
D. Surveying leisure habits before, during and at set intervals after completion of the program
This provides the best outcome information because it records level of continued follow‐through of skills after the program has been completed
Determining the Domain, Task, and Knowledge
Domain 04: Uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice
Task 0402: Uphold professional standards by participating in continuous quality improvement activities and complying with safety regulations, laws, ethical codes, facility policies and procedures, and guidelines governing OT practice in order to protect the public interest
Knowledge 040210: Quality improvement processes and procedures (includes program evaluation and outcomes measures)
Questions?