New virtual case-based assessment method for decision making in undergraduate students: a scale development and validation

BACKGROUND: There are many Internet forums where patients can ask medical question and get an answer from doctors. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the rating scale for the assessment of decision-making skills in undergraduate medical students based on such Internet questions. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study carried out in Medical School of University of Maribor in Slovenia during the family medicine teaching course in the fourth study year. The sample consisted of 159 students. The source of data were the scoring sheets of the students’ reports, assesses by two independent researchers. The assessment tool consisted of 10 items on a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Our final sample consisted of 147 (92.5%) students’ reports. The ICC for matching of the final total scores on assessment tool of both assessors was 0.742. Cronbach’s alpha of the assessment scale was 0.848. Factor analysis revealed four factors: initial assessment, physical examination planning, planning patient management and patient education/involvement. CONCLUSIONS: This assessment tool can be used for assessing undergraduate students’ decision-making based on medical questions asked by real patients in a virtual setting.