Publication
Title
Family physicians diagnostic gut feelings are measurable : construct validation of a questionnaire
Author
Abstract
Background Family physicians perceive that gut feelings, i.e. a sense of reassurance or a sense of alarm, play a substantial role in diagnostic reasoning. A measuring instrument is desirable for further research. Our objective is to validate a questionnaire measuring the presence of gut feelings in diagnostic reasoning. Methods We constructed 16 case vignettes from real practice situations and used the accompanying sense of reassurance or the sense of alarm as reference labels. Based on the results of an initial study (26 family physicians), we divided the case vignettes into a group involving a clear role for the sense of reassurance or the sense of alarm and a group involving an ambiguous role. 49 experienced family physicians evaluated each 10 vignettes using the questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed by testing hypotheses and an internal consistency procedure was performed. Results As hypothesized we found that the correlations between the reference labels and corresponding items were high for the clear-case vignettes (0.59 0.72) and low for the ambiguous-case vignettes (0.08 0.23). The agreement between the classification in clear sense of reassurance, clear sense of alarm and ambiguous case vignettes as derived from the initial study and the study populations judgments was substantial (Kappa = 0.62). Factor analysis showed one factor with opposites for sense of reassurance and sense of alarm items. The questionnaires internal consistency was high (0.91). We provided a linguistic validated English-language text of the questionnaire. Conclusions The questionnaire appears to be valid. It enables quantitative research into the role of gut feelings and their diagnostic value in family physicians diagnostic reasoning.
Language
English
Source (journal)
BMC family practice. - London
Publication
London : 2013
ISSN
1471-2296
DOI
10.1186/1471-2296-14-1
Volume/pages
14 (2013) , p. 1-9
Article Reference
1
ISI
000314592500001
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 11.02.2013
Last edited 09.10.2023
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