Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University Ushers in Competency-based Educational Model with eValue

Moving to a Competency-based Educational Model for Growing Enrollment

When enrollment in Quinnipiac University’s Athletic Training program doubled from 30 new students to 60 new students, the institution embarked on a search for a technology solution to efficiently manage its growing data management needs and transition its traditional didactic educational approach to a proficiency-based curriculum model. Assistant Clinical Professor/Clinical Coordinator Ken Kosior, EdD, MPT, ATC, embraced the role of torchbearer in spearheading a six-month vetting of online software that could meet the diverse needs of not only the Athletic Training program.

A new proficiency-based curriculum was designed to track the progress and competency of approximately 100 students during five clinical semesters over their three-year course. In order to track student progress, the program developed 37 competency assessments comprising data from:

• Proficiency and diagnostic performance evaluations
• Clinical preceptor evaluations from rotations in 40 affiliated sites in the Northeast as well as 13 across the country for football
• Student mentor meetings (e.g., third-year students mentor second-year students)

The management of this complex assessment system was a challenge that led Kosior to eValue.

“Its customizability, vast database, and outstanding functionality led us to a confident conclusion that eValue would meet our didactic, enrollment, and accreditation needs,” says Kosior. “Our Physician Assistant program had already proven that eValue had the muscle to handle our program’s growth since it was one of the first eValue users with over a million logs.”

He adds that the end-game was a single click would run online reports that would depict each student’s clinical readiness, as well as point to any adjustments required for bolstering student proficiencies.

Well-Managed, Methodical Rollout

Kosior describes the Athletic Training program rollout of eValue as a methodical, three-year approach: initially evaluations; time tracking clinical experiences; competency assessments.

“We pushed the envelope with our eValue rollout consultant during each phase to customize the software for our specific needs,” says Kosior. “I could go on and on about how great the team was to work with. The workbooks were also helpful in becoming familiar with how to use the database. Students are more tech savvy than ever before and love the system for its ease of use.”

Success Inspires Bandwagon of Adopters

In addition to the Physician Assistant and Athletic Training programs, the eValue bandwagon continues to gain popularity at Quinnipiac University with adoption by various programs across the School of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, and recent limited function adoption in the School of Medicine. Since 2012, the following programs within the School of Health Science have implemented eValue: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Athletic Training, DNP, DNP Care of Individuals, DNP Care of Populations, Family NP, Master of Social Work, Pathology Assistant, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Radiography and Sonography.

The latest addition is the Cardiac Perfusion program, which is one of only a few programs of its kind in the country. While each school is implementing eValue for various functions, including scheduling clinical rotations, all anticipate better outcomes and a significantly simplified accreditation process.

About Quinnipiac University School of Health Sciences

To prepare today’s health care practitioners and biomedical scientists to become leaders in their disciplines and in the global community, the curricula in all School of Health Sciences majors integrate theory, research, and practice. The curricula includes a solid foundation in the basic sciences and liberal arts, a student-centered learning environment, interprofessional collaboration, innovative teaching, and hands-on experience. Hybrid on-line classes, immersion in the community and abroad, and clinical experience engage each student in learning. Interprofessional learning opportunities allow students to learn with, by, and from students in other disciplines.

Athletic Training, which focuses on the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries, is one of Quinnipiac’s undergraduate programs. Other majors include Biomedical Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Sciences Studies, Microbiology and Immunology, and Radiologic Sciences. Graduate programs include Master of Social Work and Master of Health Science programs in Cardiovascular Perfusion, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pathologists’ Assistant, Physician Assistant, and Radiologist Assistant. Clinical doctorate programs include Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, and continuing education certificate programs in Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Dual-degree programs include a five-year Master of Health Science concentration in Biomedical Sciences, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Doctor of Physical Therapy, entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy, and entry-level Mater’s Physician Assistant.