Changes in Novice Physical Therapists’ Clinical Competence Evaluation Scale Scores: Self-assessment 10 Months after Graduation

[Purpose] To clarify changes in novice physical therapists’ self-assessed clinical competence scores 10 months after graduation. [Participants and Methods] Ten novices assessed themselves using the Clinical Competence Evaluation Scale in Physical Therapy (CEPT) 1, 4, 7, and 10 months after graduation, and repeated measure analysis of variance and multiple comparisons were performed to compare their scores among the 4 points. [Results] The novices’ scores for <thoughts>, <skills>, <conversations>, <attitudes>, and <self-education>, and total score significantly improved within 10 months after graduation. Their scores for all major categories, excluding <selfmanagement>, tended to decrease in 1 to 4 months. [Conclusion] The period, when novices’ self-assessed clinical competence scores improved, varied among major categories, suggesting that the period, when they require guidance, accordingly varies. The results also indicate the necessity of considering the possibility of novices’ self-esteem related to clinical competence decreasing soon after graduation, when providing guidance for them.