Defining analytic process: An overdue update of an essential analytic concept

Area of Science:

• Clinical reasoning and medical education.
• Healthcare professional assessment.
• Cognitive processes in medicine.

Background:

• The analytic process is a poorly understood concept.
• Its current definition is often assumed to be agreed upon, but lacks consensus.
• This ambiguity impacts its utility as an assessment metric.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the ill-defined nature of the analytic process.
• To propose an expanded definition of the analytic process.
• To align the concept with evolving trends in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the term 'analytic process'.
• Review of existing literature on clinical reasoning and assessment.
• Proposal of an expanded framework for the analytic process.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests a lack of agreed-upon definition for the analytic process.
• The current understanding limits its value in candidate progression and case evaluation.
• An expanded definition is necessary to reflect current clinical thinking.

Conclusions:

• The analytic process requires redefinition to be a valid metric.
• Expanding the concept will enhance its relevance in medical education and practice.
• Aligning the definition with evolving trends is crucial for accurate assessment.