Assessment of Skills in Ordering Diagnostic Tests: A Case-Based Approach

TitleAssessment of Skills in Ordering Diagnostic Tests: A Case-Based Approach
Faculty/College/UnitMedicine
StatusCompleted
Duration2 Year
Initiation04/01/2010
Completion12/31/2012
Project Summary

We propose to develop an assessment of students’ skills in ordering appropriate laboratory tests and imaging studies. The assessment will consist of 20 cases, presented in the form of a history and physical examination. After reading through each case, students will decide which tests and imaging studies to order. The results of those tests, as well as several follow-up questions, will be presented to simulate the diagnostic process. At the end of the case, students will receive a score based on how closely their selections agree with accepted practice. They will also receive feedback on which tests should have been ordered and why. This assessment program will (1) provide students with practice in ordering diagnostic studies based on clinical presentation, (2) give feedback on how their performance compares to an optimal test-ordering strategy, and (3) inform educators in the Faculty of Medicine on how well students have mastered these skills.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2010/2011
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorWilliam E. Schreiber
Year 1: Funded Amount64,800
Year 1: Team Members

William E. Schreiber, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
James R. Busser, Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Savvas Nicholaou, Radiology, Faculty of Medicine
George Pachev, Educational Assessment, Faculty of Medicine

Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2011/2012
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorWilliam E. Schreiber
Year 2: Funded Amount48,540
Year 2: Team Members

William E. Schreiber, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
James R. Busser, Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Savvas Nicholaou, Radiology, Faculty of Medicine
George Pachev, Educational Assessment, Faculty of Medicine