Development and Evaluation of the Script Concordance Test to Assess Veterinary Students on Equine Colic

Abstract

The script concordance test (SCT) is an assessment method based on script theory, which can be used to assess some components of clinical reasoning. Clinical reasoning is challenging to assess, so the SCT was evaluated as a method of assessing clinical reasoning specifically around equine colic. A SCT was written on equine colic, using an expert panel of 15 equine veterinarians to help develop the test and formulate the scoring. Preclinical veterinary students (year 3 of 5) were recruited to take the SCT, followed by participation in focus groups on clinical reasoning in equine colic and their experience of the SCT. Twenty-four students undertook the SCT, of which 15 participated in focus groups. Final marking of the SCT gave expert panel scores from 27 to 40 out of 43 (mean 34.6 and SD 3.44). The students scored 17–32 (mean 24.9 and SD 4.59). The SCT was liked by the students and they felt the test required them to use clinical reasoning skills related to acute colic.