title: The Utrecht questionnaire (U-CEP) measuring knowledge on clinical epidemiology proved to be valid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knowledge on clinical epidemiology is crucial to practice evidence-based medicine. We describe the development and validation of the Utrecht questionnaire on knowledge on Clinical epidemiology for Evidence-based Practice (U-CEP); an assessment tool to be used in the training of clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  The U-CEP was developed in two formats: two sets of 25 questions and a combined set of 50. The validation was performed among postgraduate general practice (GP) trainees, hospital trainees, GP supervisors, and experts. Internal consistency, internal reliability (item-total correlation), item discrimination index, item difficulty, content validity, construct validity, responsiveness, test-retest reliability, and feasibility were assessed. The questionnaire was externally validated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Internal consistency was good with a Cronbach alpha of 0.8. The median item-total correlation and mean item discrimination index were satisfactory. Both sets were perceived as relevant to clinical practice. Construct validity was good. Both sets were responsive but failed on test-retest reliability. One set took 24 minutes and the other 33 minutes to complete, on average. External GP trainees had comparable results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The U-CEP is a valid questionnaire to assess knowledge on clinical epidemiology, which is a prerequisite for practicing evidence-based medicine in daily clinical practice.
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: M.F.Kortekaas@umcutrecht.nl.
authors: Marlous F
authors: MF
authors: Kortekaas
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Marie-Louise E L
authors: MEL
authors: Bartelink
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: de Groot
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Korving
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Niek J
authors: NJ
authors: de Wit
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Diederick E
authors: DE
authors: Grobbee
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Arno W
authors: AW
authors: Hoes
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Assessment; Clinical epidemiology; Evidence-based medicine; Knowledge; Questionnaire; Validation