J Educ Eval Health Prof.  2022;19(1):18. 10.3352/jeehp.2022.19.18.

Successful pilot application of multi-attribute utility analysis concepts in evaluating academic-clinical partnerships in the United States: a case report

• North SE
• Sharp AN

• KMID: 2538325
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2022.19.18

Abstract

Strong partnerships between academic health professions programs and clinical practice settings, termed academic-clinical partnerships, are essential in providing quality clinical training experiences. However, the literature does not operationalize a model by which an academic program may identify priority attributes and evaluate its partnerships. This study aimed to develop a values-based academic-clinical partnership evaluation approach, rooted in methodologies from the field of evaluation and implemented in the context of an academic Doctor of Physical Therapy clinical education program. The authors developed a semi-quantitative evaluation approach incorporating concepts from multi-attribute utility analysis (MAUA) that enabled consistent, values-based partnership evaluation. Data-informed actions led to improved overall partnership effectiveness. Pilot outcomes support the feasibility and desirability of moving toward MAUA as a potential methodological framework. Further research may lead to the development of a standardized process for any academic health profession program to perform a values-based evaluation of their academic-clinical partnerships to guide decision-making.

Keyword

Feasibility studies; Health occupations; Partnership; Evaluation; Physical therapy; Case report