Evaluation of Clinical Reasoning in Basic Emergencies Using a Script Concordance Test

Abstract

Objectives. To develop and assess the reliability of a script concordance test (SCT) to evaluate pharmacy students' clinical reasoning when facing basic emergency situations. Design. A first aid course was designed that consisted of 8 weekly instructional sessions (4 on internal medicine, including life threatening situations; 2 on pediatrics; and 2 on trauma) in which the instructor presented case studies in a small-group format. In the first and final sessions of the course, a practice SCT was administered to familiarize students with the test format. Assessment. A 66-question SCT examination was administered to the 68 third-year pharmacy students enrolled in the first aid course. The students' mean score was 68.5% ± 9.8% and panel members' mean score was 86.5% ± 4.2%. Twenty students were selected randomly to complete a course survey and 85% indicated they were satisfied with using the SCT. Conclusions. A first aid SCT was found to be both a practical and reliable testing instrument for assessing the clinical reasoning of pharmacy students in basic emergency situations.