Assessment of osteopaths: developing a capability-based approach to reviewing readiness to practice

A new approach to assessment design is considered through the process of developing a set of capabilities for osteopathic practice that starts from an understanding of a concept of ‘practice’ applicable to real, situated osteopathic healthcare. Appropriately framed capabilities inform a variety of assessment needs, allowing different tools to assess common standards across many credentialing, high stakes, summative and formative situations, and through work based practice. An argument is made for the inclusion of a work-based phase of assessment in high stakes examinations for overseas trained candidates as the best way to capture real/situated practice enabling the assessment process to contribute to on-going professional learning. The relationship of assessment to learning is regarded as vital to the development of many aspects of regulatory policy, programme accreditation, and continuing professional development, and needs to be considered by stakeholders concerned with maintaining and improving standards of practice.