Abstract

RUIZ MORAL, Roger et al. Effectiveness of a family medicine undergraduate course: Validity and reliability of a concordance script test. Educ. méd. [online]. 2004, vol.7, n.2, pp.78-84. ISSN 1575-1813.

Introduction: Family medicine is gathering momentum in undergraduate studies in Spain. Teaching methods, assessment tools and the practicability of new programs need to be explored. Aims: To assess the effectiveness of an undergraduate family medicine training program; to determine the reliability and validity of tests of concordance scripts. Material & Methods: A quasi-experimental "before-after" study with 20 students. Training Program: a 60-hour course focusing on areas of knowledge, clinical reasoning, decision making and communication using a problem-based approach. Measurements: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Concordance Scripts tests (CS) and Standardized Patients (CC). 10 family physicians designed the CS tests (face and consensus validity). Communication skills were assessed with a low difficulty clinical case simulation with a standardized patient. The session was videotaped and we used the GATHA questionnaire to rate behaviours. Student satisfaction was measured by a questionnaire. Results: The differences between pre&post situations (Wilcoxon) were: MCQ: 14.45±2.7 - 17.2±2.4 (p=0.003); CS: 15.97±1.56 -17.93±2.16 (p<0.0001) and CC: 14.45±3.8- 18.55±3.3 (p=0.001). The reliability of CS test was: alpha: 0.96 and ICC: 0.7876. A high degree of student satisfaction was detected with all the activities, materials and teachers. Conclusions: The course was practicable and well-received. Students noted improvements in knowledge acquisition and in their ability to apply this knowledge to clinical situations. Their communication skills also improved after the course. CS is a valid and reliable test.

Keywords : family medicine; concordance script tests; adult learning methods; training program; medical students; reliability.

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