As is often the case, I found the participant discussion idea sharing at the end of the conference to be very interesting and informative. Here are just a few thoughts that provide the basis for future discussion and certification innovation. Thank you to NOCA for providing this opportunity!
- Conference participant comments challenged some of our basic certification tenets, for example; Should our examinations, expecially in the health related professions, be based on evidence-based practice even it is not yet reflected in current practice? Reliability, validity legal defensibility are the basis for our present test development process grounded on a role delineation study of current practice , the examination should always reflect practice not drive practice. Practice may be driven by research and education , but not the examination. Are we truly living up to our public protection mission if we are reflecting what is rather than what should be?
- Are we doing a good job of ensuring that our certification programs are relevant to the current/future marketplace? Are the broad-based certifications relevant to future practice? While state licensure, again especially in the healthcare arena, continues to rely on national certification examinations to assess minimal competence in a particular discipline, is there a need for more focused content specific modular examinations in addition to the core examination that meet the needs of the rapidly evolving marketplace and a new generation of certificants?
Posted by Guest Blogger Chris Reidy, Senior Director, Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association
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