Brazilian version of the Fresno test of competence in Evidence-Based Medicine: a validation study

AIMS: To validate the Brazilian version of the Fresno test of competence in Evidence-Based Medicine. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, validation study. Phase 1: translation of the Fresno instrument. Phase 2: validation of the translated version, which was tested in 70 undergraduate medical students. The psychometric properties evaluated were validity, internal consistency, and sensitivity to change. RESULTS: Overall, validity was adequate; most items showed a moderate to strong and significant correlation with the total score; there was an important and significant difference between both groups, with and without previous contact with Evidence-Based Medicine (median, 55 [IQ25-75, 45.2-61.7] vs. median, 18.5 [IQ25-75, 6.0-29.7]) (p<0.001). Internal consistency was also adequate (alpha-C 0.718), and sensitivity to change showed a considerable and significant difference between pre and post-test (median, 18.5 [IQ25-75, 6.0-29.7] vs. median, 44 [IQ25-75, 34.0-60.0]) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian version of the Fresno test showed satisfactory psychometric properties, and it can now be used as a tool to assess the knowledge and skills of Evidence-Based Medicine in Brazilian medical students.