What is a clinical pearl and what is its role in medical education?
BACKGROUND
Despite the advent of evidence-based medicine, clinical pearls, verbal and published, remain a popular and important part of medical education.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to establish a definition of a clinical pearl and to determine criteria for an educationally sound clinical pearl.


METHODS
The authors searched the Medline database for material dealing with clinical pearls, examined and discussed the information found, and formulated a consensus opinion regarding the definition and criteria.


RESULTS
Clinical pearls are best defined as small bits of free standing, clinically relevant information based on experience or observation. They are part of the vast domain of experience-based medicine, and can be helpful in dealing with clinical problems for which controlled data do not exist.


CONCLUSIONS
While there are no universally accepted criteria for preparing or evaluating a clinical pearl, we propose some rational guidelines for both.
Lorin
Martin I
MI
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mlorin@bcm.edu
Palazzi
Debra L
DL
Turner
Teri L
TL
Ward
Mark A
MA
D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*