Effect of diagnostic score reporting following a structured clinical assessment of dental hygiene student performance.

Background: Diagnostic score reporting is one method of providing feedback to all students following a structured clinical assessment but its effect on learning has not been studied. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of this feedback on student reflection and performance following a dental hygiene assessment.

Methods: In 2016, dental hygiene students at the University of Alberta participated in a mock structured clinical assessment during which they were randomly assigned to receive a diagnostic score report (intervention group) or an overall percentage grade of performance (control group). The students later reflected upon their performance and took their regularly scheduled structured clinical assessment. Reflections underwent content analysis by diagnostic domains (eliciting essential information, effective communication, client-centred care, and interpreting findings). Results were analysed for group differences.

Results: Students performed best on eliciting essential information (92%) and poorest on interpreting findings (42%). The intervention group was more likely to view interpreting findings as a weakness, = 0.007, while the control group was more likely to view eliciting essential information as a weakness, = 0.04. No differences were found on the actual assessment scores, > 0.05.

Discussion: Students who received diagnostic score reporting appeared to reflect more accurately upon their weaknesses. However, this knowledge did not translate into improved performance. Modifications and enhancements to the report may be necessary before an effect on performance will be seen.

Conclusion: Diagnostic score reporting is a promising feedback method that may aid student reflection. More research is needed to determine if these reports can improve performance.