Development and validation of a multiple-choice test for head and neck ultrasound certification

Mikkelsen, August Krogh and Kuenzel, Julian and Orloff, Lisa A. and Sebelik, Merry E. and Mcqueen, Andrew and Madani, Gitta and Konge, Lars and Yang, Tsung-Lin and Melchiors, Jacob and Weimer, Johannes and Todsen, Tobias (2025) Development and validation of a multiple-choice test for head and neck ultrasound certification. EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY, 282 (9). pp. 4825-4833. ISSN 0937-4477, 1434-4726

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective trial aimed to develop and gather validity evidence for a theoretical test in head and neck ultrasound (HNUS). Methods: Seven HNUS experts from Europe, North America, and Asia participated in a Delphi study to reach consensus on multiple choice test (MCT) items. Novices (n=56) and experienced HNUS operators (n=22) were then invited to take the full MCT. Based on their answers, an item-response analysis selected the MCT items with the best performance. Generalizability theory determined the number of MCT items sufficient for certification. An ANOVA test examined the MCT's ability to distinguish novices from experts and contrasting groups' standard setting was used to establish a cut-off test score. A group of physicians (n=23) was tested at a formal ultrasound course, and pass-fail consequences for the final test were evaluated. Results: Over three Delphi rounds, 64 items were revised and 21 were excluded, yielding 106 items. The item-response analysis found nine items with low discrimination that were excluded based on the MCQ answers from 78 novices and experienced physicians who had taken the test. The final 97 test items had a high internal consistency reliability of 0.97, and an MCT with 15 items was found sufficient for certification purposes. The MCT could significantly discriminate between novices (mean 51.1, SD 13.8) and experienced participants (mean 92.0, SD 3.1), p < 0.001. A pass-fail score of 83 was established. At a formal introduction ultrasound course, 57% of the participants passed the MCT at the established pass-fail score. Conclusion: The developed MCT for HNUS, based on international expert consensus, has multiple sources of validity evidence to support its use as part of a thorough certification process.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: ULTRASONOGRAPHY; MEDICINE;
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 17 Apr 2026 09:01
Last Modified: 17 Apr 2026 09:01
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/67726

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item