The Questionnaire D-RECT German: Adaptation and testtheoretical properties of an instrument for evaluation of the learning climate in medical specialist training.

AIM: Boor et al developed and validated the questionnaire D-RECT (Dutch Residency Educational Climate Test ) to measure the clinical learning environment within the medical specialist training. In this study, a German version of this questionnaire (D-RECT German) is analyzed regarding testtheoretical properties.

PROBLEM: Are the results of Boor et al replicable as a proof for validity of the questionnaire D-RECT?

MATERIAL & METHODS: The study was performed as online survey using the questionnaire D-RECT German (50 items in 11 subscales). To determine item characteristics and internal consistency (Cronbach's α), item- and reliability analyses were performed. Furthermore, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed using a model for maximum-likelihood estimation to evaluate validity.

RESULTS: This replication study on the psychometric properties of the D-RECT with 255 residents at 17 German hospitals revealed heterogeneous discriminatory power for all items and an internal consistency of Cronbach's α between 0.57 and 0.85. Within the confirmatory factor analysis, 6 items showed standardized regression coeffizients <0.5, two of them in the subscale "Attendings role". Furthermore, strong interdependencies (>0.7) were found between the subscales "Supervision", "Coaching" and "Attendings role".

CONCLUSION: The present replication study with the D-RECT German showed structural differences with respect to factorial validity underpinning the need of further validation studies.