Abstract:

Introduction:
The acquisition of clinical skills is essential in the Degree in Optics and Optometry because optometry students are trained in visual health care. Although Miller's pyramid is the conceptual framework for the development of clinical competence measurement instruments, there is still no consensus regarding which is the most appropriate assessment method. In this regard, the literature indicates that it is necessary to combine several evaluation methods to measure the acquisition of clinical competencies. Frequently, analytic rubrics are used for formative and objective evaluation of the level of performance achieved by students.

Objectives:
1) Determine the clinical competencies that students must achieve in the practices of the subject Optometry IV.
2) Design an analytic scoring rubric for the measurement of clinical competencies acquired through the functional evaluation of the patient's vision.

Methodology:
We used scientific evidence data and the participation of professors in clinical optometry (online and face-to-face interviews) to define the clinical competencies that the students should acquire in the practices of the subject Optometry IV and, finally, we design a clinical competencies evaluation system. For this purpose, we created: a diagnostic test of students' prior knowledge, qualitative tests to examine students´ knowledge progression and a scoring rubric for the evaluation of clinical competencies.

Results:
The collection of information through interviews and review of the literature allowed the identification of 8 clinical competencies that the student must obtain through the functional assessment of the patient's vision status: information collection, diagnostic process, screening, optometric knowledge, general knowledge, interprofessional relations, ethical and legal aspects and research methodology. Greater weighting was assigned to conceptual and procedural competencies, compared to attitudinal competencies. A scoring rubric was designed with 6 indicators that collect the evaluation criteria. Four scoring levels were established to assess the students´ performance.

Conclusions:
Competency based training is essential to meet the learning objectives of the subject Optometry IV, within the professional profile defined in the curriculum. Proposed scoring rubric will allow objective assessment of all clinical competencies.

Keywords:

Scoring rubric, optometry, clinical competencies, objective evaluation, competency-based assessment.