Results of validation of the author-developed method «Algorithm for assessing the professional potential of pediatricians in preventing medical risks in the care of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy».

Progressive Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a severe X-linked recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness with early onset, leading to disability. Primary care physicians play a crucial role in early diagnosis; however, pediatricians’ awareness of DMD remains insufficient, which complicates timely identification of the disease. Objective: to validate the author-developed method, the “Algorithm for Assessing the Professional Potential of Pediatricians in Preventing Medical Risks in the Care of Patients with DMD”, evaluating its reliability, construct and criterion validity, item discriminability, and structural interpretability. Materials and methods. The method was implemented as a questionnaire comprising three blocks: socio-demographic, objective knowledge (seven key items: Q2_2, Q2_3, Q2_4, Q2_5, Q2_6, Q2_20, Q2_21), and subjective self-assessment. Based on the second block, an indicative corridor scale was generated (high/medium/low professional potential). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, item discriminability via item–total correlations (rs), construct validity through exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation, and convergent validity via inter-factor correlations. Statistical significance was determined with adjustments for multiple comparisons. Results. The questionnaire was correctly completed by 609 pediatricians from 67 regions of the Russian Federation. The overall internal consistency was adequate (Cronbach’s α = 0,778), and key items demonstrated significant discriminability (rs = 0,239–0,612, p < 0,001). Factor analysis identified four latent factors corresponding to the theoretical model of the instrument: etiology and early clinical signs, clinical vigilance, normative-organizational knowledge, and laboratory-diagnostic component. Inter-factor correlations were moderate, confirming convergent validity. Respondents were distributed across the indicative corridor scale as follows: low – 33,3%, medium – 36,4%, high – 30,3%. Conclusions. The method demonstrated sufficient reliability, construct and criterion validity, item discriminability, and structural interpretability of factors. The indicative corridor scale allows objective classification of pediatricians according to professional potential. The instrument is suitable for further application in assessing pediatricians’ readiness for early diagnosis of rare genetic disorders, including DMD.