Clinicopathologic Conference

Question 1

Steps in the Process of Diagnosis

Answer 1

1. Aggregation of initial information about the case
2. Selection of a pathognomonic sign from the initial information
3. Use of pathognomonic sign to generate a differential diagnosis
4. Narrowing of the differential diagnosis
5. Selection of the diagnosis
6. Validation/Confirmation of the diagnosis

Question 2

Prerequisites of a Good CPC Presentation

Answer 2

I. Selection
II. Preparation
III. Discussion
IV. Presentation

Question 3

Characteristics of a Good CPC Presentation:

Answer 3

1. Relevant - current interest
2. Solvable - critical element
3. Discussable - should have an educational DD

Question 4

Key Participants in a CPC:

Answer 4

1. Presenter
2. Discussant
3. Other experts
4. Audience

Question 5

Goals of a CPC:

Answer 5

1. Adequately mirror or demonstrate a typical px encounter
2. Explore or exhibit an in-depth view of a particular topic
3. Stimulate discussion with diagnostic reasoning by a maieutic approach or Socratic method
4. Provide an opportunity to apply communication, informatics, research, and critical thinking
5. Educate students and/or doctors in dealing with difficult or challenging cases
6. Discuss new approaches to the diagnosis, classification, and tx of diseases for proper px management
7. Illustrate the measured, logical progression from px presentation to a narrowed DD
8. Emphasize the importance of integrating the “eye” of a physician with the “hand” of a clinician to continuously correlate all aspects of compounding pathological phenomena
9. Foster professional collaboration and exchange of interdisciplinary knowledge which has only increased in our era of super-specialization
10. Ingrain the step-by-step problem solving approach that is utilized in every clinical situation
11. Teach the clinical aspect of a specific case by reviewing all the historical, physical, and diagnostic data.

Question 6

A dynamic medical teaching exercise and educational tool that illustrates the logical, measured consideration of a differential diagnosis which is used to assess and evaluate a specific disease or condition in a px

Answer 6

Clinicopathologic Conference (CPC)