Use of an observer-based assessment measuring individual interprofessional competency in a didactic case collaboration activity

Existing interprofessional education assessment tools generally lack an observer-based evaluation approach to assess individual student performance within a team. We investigated the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Competency Assessment Tool for Individual Students (ICATIS) to evaluate individual student IPEC competency during an interprofessional case activity in a didactic classroom-based course using trained observers. Five observers reviewed videos of pharmacy (n = 65), dental (n = 35), and dental hygiene (n = 15) students collaborating on an interprofessional case activity. All 115 participating students were evaluated using the ICATIS. Observers rated students on pre-selected IPEC competencies as competent, developing, or minimal. Students completed self-evaluations on the same IPEC competencies. ICATIS ratings were shared with the evaluated student. The most frequent rating given was "competent" (38%), then "developing" (32%), and "minimal" (9%). Student self-evaluations were frequently higher than evaluators' ratings. Participating students and evaluators were surveyed for their perspectives on ICATIS. Students overall had positive opinions about the ICATIS evaluations received and provided suggestions for improvement. The ICATIS efficiently evaluated individual student interprofessional competency in the interprofessional activity across health profession programs, addressing a gap in observer-based evaluations of individual IPEC competencies.