Self-Assessment: The Disconnect between Research and Rhetoric

Abstract

Physical therapists are expected to engage in self-assessment in order to ensure competent practice and to identify appropriate professional development activities. This paper reviews the current literature on the accuracy and role of self-assessment in physical therapy. Current literature indicating that self-assessment cannot be conducted with any degree of accuracy is discussed, and a proposed reformulation of the concept of self-assessment is presented. Practical strategies are offered for clinicians to improve the potential for obtaining reliable and valid information about their own clinical performance to guide the selection of appropriate professional development activities and to promote the provision of competent patient care.