The Impact of Script Concordance Testing on Clinical Decision-Making in Paramedic Education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medical Services
• Assessment in Healthcare

Background:

• Clinical reasoning is crucial for paramedics.
• Traditional assessments may not fully capture decision-making abilities.
• Innovative assessment methods are needed in paramedic training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Script Concordance Test (SCT) in improving paramedic students' clinical reasoning.
• To assess the SCT's impact on decision-making skills in emergency scenarios.
• To explore the SCT's role within paramedic education at the Medical University of Lublin.

Main Methods:

• The study involved two cohorts of paramedic students.
• The Script Concordance Test (SCT) was implemented as an assessment tool.
• Van der Vleuten's assessment framework informed the study approach.

Main Results:

• The SCT showed limited correlation with traditional multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• The formative use of the SCT significantly improved performance in summative assessments.
• The SCT demonstrated potential in strengthening cognitive abilities for emergency responses.

Conclusions:

• The Script Concordance Test (SCT) is an effective tool for enhancing paramedic clinical reasoning.
• Incorporating SCTs in paramedic curricula can improve preparedness for emergency responses.
• Versatile assessment strategies are vital for training future healthcare professionals.