ACLP Clinical Vignettes

The ACLP Clinical Vignettes were developed to promote active, case-based learning in consultation-liaison psychiatry and help learners apply core knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to patient scenarios. Previously, the vignettes were available only to C-L Psychiatry Fellowship Program Directors for assessing fellows’ knowledge and clinical skills. The vignettes were initially developed by ACLP’s Fellowship Education Subcommittee, with development led by Cathy Crone and Terry Rabinowitz. Their initial version was completed in 2011, and their most recent update was finished in 2017. The collection was reviewed and updated by ACLP’s Fellowship Education Subcommittee in 2026 to reflect current evidence and best practices. Now available to all ACLP members, the vignettes address common, high-yield, and selected niche topics in C-L psychiatry.

How to use the Vignettes:

Each vignette follows an evolving clinical presentation and includes open-ended questions that encourage learners to develop a differential diagnosis, formulate the case, and make evaluation and treatment decisions. Two versions are available: a Learner Version containing the vignettes and discussion prompts without answers, and a Facilitator Version containing the same material with suggested answers and an optional scoring rubric for each question. The vignettes may be used for self-study, learner assessment, or small-group teaching. In facilitated sessions, educators may pause at key decision points to encourage discussion, explore alternative approaches, and connect the case to clinical practice.