Respiratory Therapy Results of Assessment

The "Graduate Outcome Measures" grids found below describe the desired outcomes, the methods of assessment of these outcomes, the results of these assessments, and the plans based upon the outcome measures. Grids are provided for both the A.A.S. and A.S. programs:

The kinds of data gathered for the department outcomes assessment include graduate performance on national credentialing examinations, graduate surveys, employer surveys, and faculty evaluations. Reports of graduate performance on credentialing exams are updated frequently on the National Board for Respiratory Care [N.B.R.C.] website and downloaded about every three months for faculty review. Employer surveys are distributed within 6 months of graduation, returned surveys are distributed in faculty meetings for faculty review and discussion. Graduate surveys are mailed to graduates within a year of graduation (or distributed on campus for those students still enrolled); graduate survey return rate is much lower than the employer survey return rate, but returned surveys are distributed in faculty meeting for review. Faculty meetings are routinely scheduled weekly throughout the academic year and are rarely cancelled, meetings last an average of 90 minutes (many are longer).

Faculty meetings always begin with a review of student progress or student issues. This discussion is often mirrored by student comments (formally or informally) or employer feedback. A continuing issue for the program faculty is the provision of consistent academic advising for all students, particularly regarding progress towards degree completion. Another concern among faculty and students is the concentrated academic load during the A.A.S.-program (39 credits) with a disproportionately lighter load in the A.S.-program (25 credits).

As a result of faculty and student feedback, all students are now assigned a faculty advisor who is responsible to meet individually with his/her students at least twice during each semester. This advising session is focused on academic progress and degree completion, but it may also include student referral to appropriate agencies or resources on campus.

Regarding the academic load, the faculty have been engaging in discussions over the past year in an effort to re-distribute courses over 5 semesters rather than the current 4-semester configuration. This model will be implemented in our off-campus programs effective January 2003; we are still trying to determine how this model could be implemented on campus without extending faculty contracts (our program currently does not offer summer courses).

Employer and graduate feedback have also recommended additional clinical practice in neonatal and pediatric care, as well as having students complete clinical experiences during evening and night shifts. These changes are being incorporated into clinical schedules during the 2002-03 academic year. It is of some note that although our students and their employers seek such additional refinements, graduate performance on standardized national examinations is consistently 40-50% better than the national mean.

All outcomes being assessed currently will continue to be assessed during 2002-03 utilizing the same evaluation instruments and methods.

Outcome	Assessment(s)	Frequency/ calendar	Outcome(s)	Plan
Prepare competent advanced-level respiratory therapists who meet the cognitive (knowledge) expectations of employers.	1. Performance on standardized national credentialing examinations (R.R.T.: Clinical Simulation and Written registry)	1. Examinations are administered via the Internet throughout the year (graduates are now eligible within 2 weeks of graduation)	1. 90% of WSU graduates (18/20) passed Clinical Simulation (national pass-rate 58%); 93% WSU graduates (13/14) passed written registry (72% national pass-rate).	1. Continue to modify curriculum as necessary to preserve acceptable pass-rate on national examination.
	2. Employer surveys	2. Employer surveys are distributed within 9 months of program completion	2. Employer survey return rate is over 90%; employers report satisfaction with level of knowledge of new graduates	2. Continue to utilize Employer surveys; actively seek additional feedback through Advisory Committee.
Prepare competent advanced -level respiratory therapists who meet the psychomotor skills expectations of employers.	3. Students must return-demonstrate a random selection of previously learned skills	3. This assessment is done within 6 weeks of program completion	3. Students have been successful in retaining skills	3. This system was implemented at the suggestion of the Advisory committee and has been very useful
	4. Employer satisfaction surveys	4. Employer surveys are distributed within 9 months of program completion	4. Employers report satisfaction with graduate skills and knowledge regarding equipment-related job requirements	4. Continue to utilize and monitor
Prepare competent advanced-level respiratory therapists who meet the affective skills expectations of employers.	5. Faculty summative evaluations	5. Faculty complete a summary assessment within 3 months of program completion	5. Faculty are generally satisfied with student behaviors.	5. Continue to mentor and help students develop appropriate professional behavioral skills
	6. Employer satisfaction surveys	6. Employer surveys are distributed within 9 months of program completion	6. Employers report 90% satisfaction with work habits, communication skills, etc. exhibited by new graduates	6. Continue to monitor
Retain 90% of students selected to enter the program; place 90% of program graduates within 6 months of program completion	7. Program retention records	7. Annually	7. Attrition 2001-02 (24 students) was 2 [8%].	7. Continue to utilize selection system and faculty advising
	8. Program placement records	8. Annually	8. 24/24 (100%) graduates were employed in the field within 6 months of graduation	8. Continue to match graduate numbers with available jobs

Outcome	Assessment(s)	Frequency/ calendar	Outcome(s)	Plan
Prepare competent entry-level respiratory therapists who meet-the cognitive (knowledge) expectations of employers.	1. Performance on standardized national credentialing examination (C.R.T.)	1. Examinations are administered via the Internet throughout the year (graduates are now eligible within 2 weeks of graduation)	1. 22/26 graduates passed the NBRC entry-level examination (81% pass-rate); national pass-rate for this examination was 49%.	1. Continue to modify curriculum as necessary to preserve acceptable pass-rate on national examination.
	2. Employer surveys	2. Employer surveys are distributed within 9 months of program completion	2. Employer survey return rate is over 90%; employers report satisfaction with level of knowledge of new graduates	2. Continue to utilize Employer surveys; actively seek additional feedback through Advisory Committee.
Prepare competent entry-level respiratory therapists who meet the psychomotor skills expectations of employers.	3. Students must return-demonstrate a random selection of previously learned skills	3. This assessment is done within 6 weeks of program completion	3. Students have been successful in retaining skills	3. This system was implemented at the suggestion of the Advisory committee and has been very useful
	4. Employer satisfaction surveys	4. Employer surveys are distributed within 9 months of program completion	4. Employers report satisfaction with graduate skills and knowledge regarding equipment-related job requirements	4. Continue to utilize and monitor
Prepare competent entry-level respiratory therapists who meet the affective skills expectations of employers.	5. Faculty summative evaluations	5. Faculty complete a summary assessment within 3 months of program completion	5. Faculty are generally satisfied with student behaviors.	5. Continue to mentor and help students develop appropriate professional behavioral skills
	6. Employer satisfaction surveys	6. Employer surveys are distributed within 9 months of program completion	6. Employers report 90% satisfaction with work habits, communication skills, etc. exhibited by new graduates	6. Continue to monitor
Retain 90% of students selected to enter the program; place 90% of program graduates within 6 months of program completion	7. Program retention records	7. Annually	7. Attrition 2001-02 (26 students) was 1 (4%).	7. Continue to utilize selection system and faculty advising
	8. Program placement records	8. Annually	8. 24/26 (93%) graduates were employed in the field within 6 months of graduation.	8. Continue to match graduate numbers with available jobs