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How to write short cases for assessing problem-solving skills
Medical Teacher
|February 1, 2011
Summary
Short case-based testing offers a promising approach for assessing problem-solving skills. This article details strategies for creating effective case-based exams, focusing on essential decisions and question design.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Assessment Methods
Background:
- Problem-solving assessment is crucial in professional education.
- Traditional methods may not fully capture decision-making abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the methodology of short case-based testing.
- To outline strategies and identify pitfalls in developing these assessments.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of the short case-based testing format.
- Explanation of strategies for case and question development.
- Discussion of suitable question formats.
Main Results:
- Short case-based testing involves numerous short cases with targeted questions.
- Effective case writing requires careful selection of essential decisions.
- Strategies encompass case writing, question design, and format selection.
Conclusions:
- Short case-based testing is a valuable tool for evaluating problem-solving.
- Careful planning and execution are key to successful case development.
- This method aids in assessing critical decision-making skills.
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