Clinical Decision-Making Case: Intussusception
Correspondence should be addressed to Brian Milman, MD at brian.milman@utsouthwestern.edu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52171
ABSTRACT:
Audience: This clinical decision-making case is intended for emergency medicine residents of all levels.
Introduction: To become board certified in emergency medicine, graduates must pass both a qualifying exam and an oral exam. In 2026, the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) is transitioning to a Certifying Exam.1Historically, the oral exam included two structured interview cases, now retitled clinical decision-making (CDM) and one pediatric case. Vomiting and abdominal pain are two of the top five reasons pediatric patients present to the emergency department. Being able to take a complete history and exam, regardless of age, and form an appropriate differential diagnosis is a critical skill for emergency physicians. There are many resources available to prepare for standardized single patient encounters, but there are very few resources available for candidates to prepare for the CDM cases. Here we present a CDM case of irritability and vomiting in an 18-month-old for learners to familiarize themselves with the CDM format and to demonstrate management of a pediatric patient.
Educational Objectives: By the end of this mock oral boards session, learners will (1) demonstrate familiarity with the CDM case format and case play, (2) model a problem-based history and physical exam, (3) generate a differential diagnosis for pediatric abdominal pain, and (4) demonstrate the ability to manage intussusception.
Educational Methods: This CDM case is based on the sample script available on the ABEM website. Individual residents were tested by a faculty member virtually via Zoom. After all residents completed the case, a group debrief was held virtually on Zoom.
Research Methods: This case was originally tested with a pilot group of five learners who provided verbal feedback following the case. Adjustments were made to the case based on that feedback. The case was then tested with 36 second- and third-year emergency medicine residents from two residency programs. At the completion of each case, a faculty examiner scored each resident’s performance based on a standardized scoresheet. Residents received one-point for completing each task and the overall score was calculated out of 25 possible points. Residents were surveyed on prior experience with the CDM format and the educational value of this oral boards session. Educational value was evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale with 5 being excellent.
Results: In total, 36 residents completed this mock CDM case. The average score was 20.3/25. All examinees performed palpation on abdominal exam, ordered and provided justification for an abdominal ultrasound, ordered and provided justification for an air contrast enema, and stated the correct diagnosis of intussusception. Nearly all examinees provided an appropriate differential diagnosis for the patient. The most common items that examinees missed included asking about surgical history, asking about blood in the patient’s stool, listening for bowel sounds on exam, and providing at least one vital sign when the inpatient team was called for admission.
Twenty residents responded to the post-case survey (55.6%). When asked if they had previous knowledge of the CDM format, only 30% of respondents were aware of this case format, and only 10% of respondents had previously participated in a CDM practice case. The learners rated the educational value of this case a 4.7/5 with 95% “agreeing” or “strongly agreeing” that the case was helpful in preparing for their oral board exam and 90% feeling like the educational value was “very good” or “excellent.”
Discussion: We present a CDM case of intussusception that allows the resident to become familiar with this type of case while demonstrating their ability to obtain a history from, examine, and treat a pediatric patient. Through this case, residents are asked specific questions about the thought process behind the history and physical exam they perform. They are also required to provide a differential diagnosis, treatment plan, and disposition for the patient. Through this clinical decision-making process, our residents felt that the case was of high educational value and was helpful in preparing for the certifying exam.
Topics: Structured interview, clinical decision-making, pediatric abdominal pain, intussusception, certifying exam.
