MSK30: a validated tool to assess clinical musculoskeletal knowledge.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Musculoskeletal Medicine

Background:

• Musculoskeletal complaints are common in outpatient settings.
• Medical school curricula often inadequately prepare graduates for MSK diagnosis and management.
• Existing standardized and specialized exams have limitations in assessing MSK knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new 30-question multiple-choice exam (MSK30) for graduating medical students and primary care residents.
• To assess clinical musculoskeletal knowledge and identify areas for curriculum enhancement.
• To provide a more clinically relevant and consistently graded assessment tool.

Main Methods:

• Developed a question bank based on 10 critical MSK medicine topics.
• Validated questions with subject-matter experts using a modified Delphi method for consensus.
• Compiled a 30-question assessment and conducted a large-scale pilot test with 167 post-clerkship medical students.

Main Results:

• The MSK30 exam demonstrated good reliability and clinical relevance.
• Pilot testing yielded an average score of 74% among medical students (range 53%-90%).
• The exam identified individual deficiencies and highlighted areas for curriculum improvement.

Conclusions:

• The MSK30 exam effectively evaluates clinically important MSK topics for medical students and residents.
• This assessment tool addresses gaps in current medical education and improves upon previous MSK assessments.
• Exam results can guide curriculum development and personalized educational strategies for healthcare professionals.