Making accountability less painful: program evaluation in allied health education

Abstract

Information from a program review can stimulate program change and document program effectiveness in times when retrenchment is of concern to administrators and faculties in higher education. The School of Allied Health Professions at the University of Connecticut conducted a comprehensive program evaluation of its undergraduate programs in physical therapy, medical technology, and clinical dietetics. In this paper the evaluation process is described as well as a model that appears to meet the unique needs of postsecondary programs in allied health fields.