Implementation of a Hypothesis-Driven Physical Exam Session in a Transition to Clerkship Program.
Introduction
The head-to-toe approach to teaching the physical examination (PE) focuses on technique and performing a comprehensive PE whereas core + clusters and hypothesis-driven PE (HDPE) approaches integrate clinical reasoning into performing a focused PE. These approaches can be implemented in a developmental sequence. We report the implementation and evaluation of an HDPE educational session.


Methods
We designed a 3-hour HDPE session as part of a transition to clerkship program. For each of five clinical vignettes, rising third-year students worked in pairs and then in small groups to generate a differential diagnosis and determine relevant PE maneuvers. Students next performed these maneuvers on peers with facilitator observation and feedback. Students completed postsession surveys on their retrospective pre- and postsession knowledge and confidence, as well as their satisfaction with the session. We completed quantitative and qualitative analyses on survey data.


Results
One hundred ninety-two students participated, and 140 (73%) completed the survey. Students were significantly more likely to report feeling confident generating a differential diagnosis and using it to select PE maneuvers for common complaints postsession. Over 80% of respondents felt the session improved critical thinking about patient presentations and would help them in clerkships.


Discussion
Our session increased student confidence in the progression to performing an HDPE just prior to the start of clerkships. The session is feasible and straightforward to implement. It requires a large number of faculty to facilitate, but the breadth of cases used allows inclusion of faculty from all fields.
['Kelly|Julia|J|', 'Oza|Sandra K|SK|', 'Feinn|Richard|R|', 'Cassese|Todd|T|']
D002983:Clinical Competence D005246:Feedback D006801:Humans D010808:Physical Examination D012189:Retrospective Studies
Physical Examination Clinical Reasoning Clinical Reasoning/Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical Skills Clinical/Procedural Skills Training Hypothesis-Driven Physical Examination