Clinical scenario-based assessments to measure reasoning in complex cases: are we fully realising their potential in speciality training?

Planning the management of complex cases requires years of structured training, with experienced gained both by attending joint/multidisciplinary clinics and through managing patients needing interdisciplinary care. Together, these reinforce basic skills and develop high-order thinking. It is crucial, however, that the development of these advanced planning skills can be measured, so as to assess the progress of trainees and the effectiveness of training programmes. Here, the validity, reliability and consistency of a clinical, hypodontia case-based structured assessment tool of clinical reasoning and higher-order thinking is tested.