biostudies-literatureUnknown16Kelly J<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Discussion</h4>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.MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources11043https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7703480biostudies-literatureImplementation of a Hypothesis-Driven Physical Exam Session in a Transition to Clerkship Program.PMC7703480Oza SKFeinn RCassese TKelly JfalseImplementation of a Hypothesis-Driven Physical Exam Session in a Transition to Clerkship Program.<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Discussion</h4>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.2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Nov2025-05-31T22:55:01.601Z2021-02-20T02:56:58ZS-EPMC77034803327429810.15766/mep_2374-8265.11043