Case-Based Analogical Reasoning: A Pedagogical Tool for Promotion of Clinical Reasoning

Context: One of the most common instructional methods utilized to promote learning transfer in health profession education is examination of a single patient case. However, in non-healthcare settings this practice has shown to be less effective in promoting learning than the examination of multiple cases with cueing. Objective(s): The primary objective of this article is to provide athletic training educators a rationale for implementing a multiple case-based analogical reasoning technique to improve students' learning transfer. Background: Case-based analogical reasoning is a pedagogical technique that improves problem solving by helping learners identify a common structural principle shared among multiple cases. Identification and transfer of the shared principle facilitates solving novel problems or patient cases. When cueing is coupled with the process, transfer of the structural principle to the problem is enhanced. Description: This article discusses cognitive learning theory and provides empirical evidence to support the use of case-based analogical reasoning to improve athletic training students' clinical reasoning. It also provides the educator practical tips for implementing the technique in classroom and clinical settings. Clinical Advantage(s): Improving the transfer of structural principles may improve solving novel problems in the clinical environment, which should also improve the quality of patient care. Conclusions: Clinical reasoning and learning transfer may be improved among health professional students during a case-based analogical reasoning process when cued to look for the shared structural principle among cases. Students who engage in multiple-case examination with cueing may be more apt to recall their learning and use it when faced with novel cases in the clinical environment.