www.applinkup.com - An online system to manage and collate workplace based assessment outcomes for physiotherapy students

The Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) is a valid and reliable instrument designed for use by clinical educators and students to assess workplace based performance of pre-registration physiotherapy students. The APP was developed and collaboratively tested within the constraints of dynamic and unpredictable clinical environments. More than 2000 clinical educators and students across Australia and New Zealand were involved in the development and testing of the APP through three field tests conducted across a four year period. It is now in its fourth year as the Australian national standard, and used by all Australian programs. Following the successful development and uptake of the APP instrument, funding was provided to convert the APP into an online tool. Through the application of innovative technology to this system of competency assessment, the APPLinkup.com system reduces the burden of paper based processes by providing real-time management of authentic workplace assessment. Access to online resources for physiotherapy educators is also provided. Once data are saved in APPLinkup they are securely protected, backed-up and available through reports enabling nationwide benchmarking for student, educators and health care facilities against de-identified scores.