An indication for a process dimension in medical problem‐solving

Summary Several recent studies have concluded that medical problem‐solving, as evidenced in a written simulation, is heavily influenced by the medical content of the particular case. The method employed in these studies did not allow process and content aspects to be separated, so the contribution of each could not be independently assessed. The present study employed a method that allowed such a separation. Medical students were required to write problem lists, to order laboratory tests and to choose a final diagnosis for each of five casts. They were given corrective feedback after each part (e.g. after writing problem lists they were given the correct problem list) so that all students were working with the same information as they began each section of the case. The results on factor analysis showed more similarity in performance on the same aspect of problemsolving across different clinical cases than on the different processes within a given case. The present study clarifies some issues, but more work is needed to define further the specific processes in problemsolving.