Tools for self- or peer-assessment of interprofessional competencies of healthcare students: a scoping review

Introduction: Healthcare professionals are expected to demonstrate competence in the effective management of chronic disease and long-term health and rehabilitation needs. Care provided by groups of collaborating professionals is currently well recognized as a more effective way to support people living with these conditions than routine, single-profession clinical encounters. Clinical learning contexts provide hands-on opportunities to develop the interprofessional competencies essential for health professional students in training; however, suitable assessment tools are needed to support student attainment of interprofessional competencies with self-assessment espoused as an important component of learning. Method: A structured approach was taken to locate and review existing tools used for the self-assessment and peer assessment of students’ competencies relevant to interprofessional practice. Results: A range of self- and/or peer assessment approaches are available, including formally structured tools and less structured processes inclusive of focus groups and reflection. Discussion: The identified tools will usefully inform discussion regarding interprofessional competency self- and peer assessment options by healthcare students participating in a broad range of clinical learning contexts. Conclusion: Self- and/or peer assessment is a useful approach for those seeking to effectively enhance interprofessional learning and measure the attainment of related competencies.