Table 1 Illustration of questions and answering grid format.

For diagnostic knowledge assessment

If you were thinking of

And then you find

This hypothesis becomes

(A diagnosis hypothesis)

(A new clinical information, an imaging study or a laboratory test result)

-2 -1 0 +1 +2

-2 the hypothesis is almost eliminated

-1 the hypothesis becomes less probable

0 the information has no effect on the hypothesis

+1 the hypothesis is becoming more probable

+2 it can only be this hypothesis

For investigation knowledge assessment

If you were considering to ask

And then you find

This investigation becomes

(A diagnostic test)

(A new clinical information, an imaging study or a laboratory test result)

-2 -1 0 +1 +2

-2 contra-indicated totally or almost totally

-1 not useful or even detrimental

0 nor less nor more useful

+1 useful

+2 absolutely necessary

For treatment knowledge assessment

If you were considering to prescribe

And then you find

The relevance of this treatment becomes

(A therapeutic option)

(A new clinical information, an imaging study or a laboratory test result)

-2 -1 0 +1 +2

-2 contra-indicated totally or almost totally

-1 not useful or even detrimental

0 nor less nor more useful

+1 useful

+2 necessary or absolutely necessary