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Table 5 Internal consistency analysis

From: Validity of a new assessment rubric for a short-answer test of clinical reasoning

Ā 

# of Items

Mean (SD)

Cronbachā€™s Alpha

Corrected Item-Total Correlation

Cronbachā€™s Alpha if item deleted

Questions with Cronbachā€™s alpha <0.70

Q2 (Section one). The table below describes different mechanisms that may be influencing the patientā€™s pain. Based on the information provided in the subjective examination, list the evidence, if any that would be most indicative of each pain mechanism. Consider all areas of pain (8 marks)

3

5.66/8 (1.39)

0.667

0.433ā€“0.513

0.536ā€“0.631

Q4 (Section one). Which category best describes the overall irritability of this patientā€™s condition (Mild, Mild-moderate, Moderate, Moderate-Severe, Severe). Justify your answer with 4 pieces of evidence from the subjective examination. What are the implications of this for the physical examination? (3 marks)

3

1.75/3 (0.58)

0.616

0.206ā€“0.781

0.116ā€“0.799

Q6 (Section one). List 3 subjective examination findings that would indicate caution must be observed during the objective examination. Explain why. (3 marks)

2

1.60/3 (0.71)

0.683

0.528

n/a

Q2 (Section two). List 2 favourable and 2 unfavourable prognostic indicators for this patient and considering these, describe your predictive outcome. (3 marks)

2

2.0/3 (0.56)

0.497

0.34

n/a

Questions with item-total correlationsā€‰>ā€‰0.70

Q7 (Section one). After reading the subjective data, list the 2 (most likely) clinical hypotheses and provide 3 subjective findings to support each hypothesis. (3 marks)

2

1.69/3 (0.50)

0.843

0.733

n/a

Q8 (Section one). Based on the subjective examination you have developed two clinical hypotheses. Provide 4 key elements of your physical examination and under each element state 2 of the most relevant tests you would perform and explain how these would help you confirm or negate your hypotheses. (8 marks)

2

5.01/8 (1.59)

0.857

0.753

n/a

Q9 (Section one). What are 2 outcome measurement tools or screening tools that you would use to monitor this patientā€™s progress and provide your rationale for choosing them. (2 marks)

2

1.57/2 (0.46)

0.858

0.76

n/a

Q1 (Section two). Provide your main hypothesis for this patientā€™s clinical picture. Outline in detail your rationale and justification for this hypothesis with consideration of the evidence from both the subjective and objective examination. (8 marks)

2

5.57/8 (1.57)

0.882

0.789

n/a

Q4 (Section two). Indicate your primary functional goal as it relates to the activity limitations and participation restrictions and select 2 problems that would be the most relevant to address. Include your treatment goal for each problem and the testing criteria you would use to monitor change. (6 marks)

5

3.76/6 (1.44)

0.931

0.700ā€“0.903

0.89ā€“0.935

Q5 (Section two). Outline in detail the management strategies you would use over the first two treatments under the following headings: manual therapy, exercise, education and other. Include your rationale. (8 marks)

7

5.11/8 (1.72)

0.935

0.730ā€“0.879

0.917ā€“0.935

Q6 (Section two). Outline in detail your progression of subsequent treatments to discharge, addressing all the identified problems and provide your rationale. Use the following headings: manual therapy, exercise, education and other. (8 marks)

6

4.84/8 (1.83)

0.931

0.709ā€“0.917

0.903ā€“0.938