SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Comparing Oral Case Presentation Formats on Rounds: A Survey Study

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This survey study compared two oral case presentation formats used on internal medicine inpatient rounds: the traditional SOAP format and an alternative called EAP (Events overnight, Assessment & Plan). The goal was to assess learners’ perceived benefits and drawbacks of EAP versus SOAP.<br /><br />The study surveyed senior medical students and internal medicine residents at the University of Michigan; all students had completed their internal medicine clerkship. The response rate was 21%. Respondents rated both formats across 10 domains using a 5-point Likert scale, and those with exposure to both formats also indicated a head-to-head preference.<br /><br />Overall, EAP was preferred over SOAP among respondents who had experience with both formats. EAP scored higher in most domains, including helping learners distill pertinent information, integrate history/exam/studies into the assessment and plan, focus on assessment and plan, learn from peers, advance patient care, and improve time efficiency. These differences were often statistically significant, especially among residents and in the total sample. SOAP did not clearly outperform EAP in any major domain, though SOAP was sometimes rated similarly for allowing discussion of the patient’s subjective experience and ease of use.<br /><br />The main strengths of EAP were that it encouraged concise, clinically relevant presentations and stronger emphasis on assessment and plan. However, the authors note important limitations: the survey had a low response rate and was conducted at a single institution, so results may not generalize broadly.<br /><br />In conclusion, the respondents preferred EAP to SOAP, and the authors suggest that teaching hospitals consider implementing EAP and evaluating it further.

Asset Subtitle

Brendan Appold

Meta Tag

Author List Ashwin B. Gupta, Brendan Appold, Sanjay Saint

Category Research

Concept SOAP Note

Concept EAP Format

Concept Case Presentation

Concept Clinical Reasoning

Concept Learner Preference

Distinguished Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Michigan Medical School

Presenting Author Brendan Appold

Track Communication

Keywords

SOAP

EAP

oral case presentation

internal medicine rounds

medical education

survey study

assessment and plan

clinical presentation

resident preference

University of Michigan

SOAP Note

EAP Format

Case Presentation

Clinical Reasoning

Learner Preference