Marking criteria for students on clinical placements vary greatly depending on which university the student is training at. Coventry has a very good reputation, probably due to being the only university in the country to use a Clinical Reasoning exam towards the end of each placement. This is a spoken exam, lasting 45 mins in the 2nd year and 60 mins in the 3rd year, all about 2 of the students patients. As a student you have to be able to demonstrate not only your knowledge of all aspects of the patients condition (previous medical history, presenting condition, pathophysiology, drug history, relevant anatomy, red flags, input from the rest of the MDT, psychosocial factors, latest research etc), but be able to apply this as well, reasoning your treatment plans and progressions, and ultimately demonstrate your ability to clinically reason through patient cases, as well as coping with all manner of questions thrown at you by at least two examiners who are practicing senior physios in whichever area you are being assessed in.

The Clinical Reasoning exam counts as 50% of your mark for the placement (each placement is one module). The other 50% comes from the "Professional Practice Assessment" - a list of categories and a marking grid on which your clinical supervisor (i.e. a practicing senior physio who has been your senior during the placement, not someone from the university) gives you a mark for each and writes comments and feedback.

Here are some comments I have received on my Professional Practice Assessments:

"It has been a pleasure to have Mel working here at the unit... she has demonstrated patience and resourcefulness dealing with this complex group of patients who generally demonstrate slow progress. Even with some of our most challenging patients she has achieved measurable progress in her placement here." (Amersham, Eldery Care / neuro rehab)