The development of an instrument for evaluating core competencies in violence and injury prevention

To develop and evaluate the characteristics of an instrument for assessing core competencies for injury and violence prevention.

We developed a preliminary tool and pilot tested it with a small sample. After refining the tool, we recruited 401 participants to respond to the questions and provide information about demographic characteristics, injury activities, education, and current injury- and violence-related work. With the obtained data, we conducted a categorical confirmatory factor analysis to determine domains of knowledge for questions. We then evaluated the properties of the assessment, using item response theory.

Results of item evaluation using item response theory provide a 26-item Injury Prevention Assessment scale, which reliably assesses injury prevention knowledge at an entry-level ability.

This initial assessment is useful both for individual practitioners and for institutions as a tool for determining the need for training in injury prevention concepts. Additional tools should be developed to assess higher-proficiency levels of knowledge of injury prevention.