Patient Cases and Scenarios for Medical Credentialing: Violation of Local Independence or Not?

• In Event: 31.072 - Issues Related to Professional Licensure and Certification

Abstract

A credentialing body in the health care industry recently conducted a pilot study of an exam that contained two types of testlets; a scenario based and a patient history or case based testlet. With respect to the magnitude of the testlet effect, out of the eight scenario testlets, one (12.5%) was negligible, three (37.5%) were moderate, and four (50%) were substantial. With respect to the magnitude of the testlet effect, out of the 28-patient case testlets, 21 (75%) were negligible, six (21%) were moderate, and one (4%) was substantial. This provides support for the conclusion that the type of content the item is asking directly affects the relationship to other questions with in a testlet.

Authors

• Kari Hodge, NACE International Institute

• Lucinda L Harman, International Board of Functional Neurology