Methods of Evaluating Training in Primary Health Care

The expanded role of nurses in primary care settings offers many benefits, including reduced treatment costs and quicker access to care. Primary health care nurse trainees are evaluated to assess their ability to perform tasks, procedures and requirements in the primary office setting. Methods that measure progress throughout the training process offer more opportunities to teach students as challenges occur.

Formal Testing

• Formal examinations focus on measuring the knowledge and practices learned by primary care nurses, and they can be performed as written or verbal tests. Individuals are directed to demonstrate competency in certain procedures and applications such as assessing blood pressure, heart rate and other vital functions. Trainers test students' ability to manage special needs populations and identify referral resources appropriately.

Informal Testing

• Informal testing includes carefully worded and precise questions to avoid ambiguity, and the questions focus on specific aspects of patient care such as collecting patient history, evaluating vital signs and reviewing patient symptoms. Informal testing allows trainers to interact directly with students and discuss general aspects of patient care. It also allows students to ask questions and learn more about challenging areas of training.

Classroom Observation

• Trainers observe the nurse's competency and skill level within the classroom or laboratory setting, such as ability to administer injections, conduct blood pressure checks, properly dispose of hazardous materials, perform EKGs and operate specialized equipment. Trainers also evaluate the clinician's ability to communicate patient self-care information, update medical records and document patient encounter details. This training method allows evaluators to provide feedback and immediate hands-on training, which enhances student performance and knowledge.

Peer Assessment

• The peer assessment method allows students to evaluate classmates and to learn from each other. Peer assessments encourage communication and interaction among students, who have increased opportunities to share knowledge and information about patient care. Peer review enables students to observe skill levels in the classroom or patient care setting, and evaluate clinical performance of others with similar training and background.

On-the-Job Assessment

• On-the-job training assessment includes evaluation of clinical competency, patient interactions and the clinician's adherence to generally accepted clinical practice guidelines. It also allows trainers to observe the nurse's ability to effectively deal with children, minorities, dementia patients or other special needs individuals. Health practitioners interact with real patients and demonstrate their ability to deliver confident, quality patient care and facilitate more rapid diagnosis and treatment. On-the-job assessment also allows a trainer to identify additional training needs, and helps her refine training materials and courses.