ASSESSMENT PRACTICES AND COMPETENCY EVALUATION IN PHYSIOTHERAPY EDUCATION

Abstract

Assessment and evaluation are central to physiotherapy education, ensuring the development of clinical competence, professional readiness, and lifelong learning. Contemporary physiotherapy programs employ evidence-based assessment strategies that reflect the complexity of clinical practice and support valid, reliable measurement of student performance. This chapter examines major assessment approaches, including formative and summative assessments, Objective Structured Clinical and Practical Examinations (OSCEs/OSPEs), competency-based assessment, workplace-based evaluation, e-assessment, and programmatic assessment models. Current evidence highlights the importance of integrating multiple methods to assess clinical reasoning, psychomotor skills, communication, and professional behaviors. The chapter also discusses the critical role of timely feedback, interprofessional assessment, simulation-based learning, and digital technologies in enhancing educational outcomes. Emphasis is placed on principles of constructive alignment, validity, reliability, and student-centered learning. Emerging trends and ongoing challenges in physiotherapy assessment are explored to support the development of equitable, comprehensive, and practice-oriented evaluation systems for entry-level physiotherapy education.