Assessment of Clinical Reasoning by Listening to Case Presentations: VSOP Method for Better Feedback

Case presentation is used as a teaching and learning tool in almost all clinical education, and it is also associated with clinical reasoning ability. Despite this, no specific assessment tool utilizing case presentations has yet been established. SNAPPS (summarize, narrow, analyze, probe, plan, and select) and the One-minute Preceptor are well-known educational tools for teaching how to improve consultations. However, these tools do not include a specific rating scale to determine the diagnostic reasoning level. Mini clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) and RIME (reporter, interpreter, manager, and educator) are comprehensive assessment tools with appropriate reliability and validity. The vague, structured, organized and pertinent (VSOP) model, previously proposed in Japan and derived from RIME model, is a tool for formative assessment and teaching of trainees through case presentations. Uses of the VSOP model in real settings are also discussed.