Practice Analysis of ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitters

The practice analysis for the ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CFm) credential involved a methodical approach that included an expert panel review. A draft list of tasks and knowledge statements was developed based on the current content outline and previous practice analysis. The draft task and knowledge statements were reviewed by a panel of experts, selected by ABC to serve as the Practice Analysis Task Force Committee. The purpose of the expert panel review was to obtain verification (or refutation) that the tasks and knowledge identified are important to the work of certified mastectomy fitter professionals.

Utilizing multiple experts to review and create the task and knowledge statements functions as a check and balance on the judgments of the initial background research and reduces the likelihood that unimportant areas will be considered in the development of the test specifications. The use of multiple experts eliminates the chance that one expert's input will influence the entire content outline.

The methodology used to conduct the practice analysis is described in detail below and included the following steps:

1. Development of the Domains and Task and Knowledge Statement

2. Expert Panel Review

3. Development of the Test Specifications