The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) announces the launch of AOTA Benchmark BETA, an interactive knowledge and skills assessment tool for occupational therapy practitioners to grade their professional development needs and earn free CE credit.
Via the tool, which is customized for both OTs and OTAs, users answer a series of online multiple-choice questions to determine where gaps in their knowledge base may exist. In addition, during beta testing, users are asked for feedback to help build a more personalized and user-friendly site, per AOTA in a media release.
“Professional development is more than accumulating CEUs or contact hours,” says Debbie Amini, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, director of Professional Development for AOTA. “Regulatory bodies and the public are beginning to require health care professionals to demonstrate that they have a comprehensive plan to grow their knowledge and skills based on results of self-assessments that identify knowledge gaps.
“AOTA Benchmark BETA provides this insight that, along with other assessment activities, will allow the creation of a targeted professional development plan.”
Users can earn up to 3 contact hours of CE per year, or .5 contact hours per exam from the site, the release adds.
“Whether you are just starting out or an experienced practitioner, AOTA Benchmark BETA can help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in specific practice areas and make it easy to find helpful learning resources,” Gloria Frolek Clark, OTR/L, PhD, BCP, FAOTA, one of several AOTA members who helped develop AOTA Benchmark BETA, comments.
“This program can boost your career by helping you incorporate the latest research and most effective techniques into your practice.”
For more information about the assessment tool, visit AOTA.
[Source: American Occupational Therapy Association]