LAUSR

BACKGROUND The Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) course provides a standard approach to trauma. Participants must pass the ATLS® post-test. We deployed the test online to allow ongoing psychometric item analysis and potential objective refinement. METHODS A two-phase study was undertaken with the ACS COT permission. In the first phase, ATLS® post-test #2 was computerized and deployed using Qualtrics©. Data were collected from fourteen courses conducted between 2014 and 2015 (n = 306) at one ACS AEI site. In the second phase, the same post-test was administered to 238 trainees in 10 courses via secured computers at four ACS AEI sites in 2016. RESULTS Phase 1 item analyses showed two items with very low percentages correct, and one of these also showed a low discrimination index. Phase 2 item analyses suggested four items as candidates for review and possible revision. We also found differences by learner background and by instructional site. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates computerized delivery of the ATLS post-test is feasible, promotes psychometric analysis, and could improve the quality of the test. Further collaboration between the ACS COT and ACS AEI would be beneficial.