title: Content validity of a clinical problem solving test for use in recruitment to the acute specialties.
abstract: Clinical problem solving tests (CPSTs) have been shown to be reliable and valid for recruitment to general practice (GP) training programmes. This article presents the results from a Department of Health-funded pilot into the use of a CPST designed for recruitment to the acute specialties (AS). The pilot paper consisted of 99 items from the validated GP question bank and 40 new items aimed specifically at topics of relevance to AS training. The CPST successfully differentiated between applicants. The overall test and the GP section showed high internal reliability, whereas the AS pilot section performed less well. A detailed item analysis revealed that the AS pilot items were, on average, more difficult and of poorer quality than the GP items. Important issues that need to be addressed in the early development phase of a test used for high stakes selection to specialty training programmes are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth. gemma.crossingham@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crossingham
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langton
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011340:Problem Solving