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.
Each of the 21 vignette topics have two download options:
- Learner Version – Contains the clinical case and discussion questions without answers.
- Facilitator Version – Contains the clinical case, suggested answers, scoring guidance, and references.
Additionally, a file for both the learner version and facilitator version containting all the vignettes may be obtained at the bottom of the page.
1. Mood Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
2. Anxiety Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
3. Bereavement
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
4. Acute Stress Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
5. Delirium
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
6. Dementia and Capacity Evaluation
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
7. Reproductive Psychiatry and Psychosis
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
8. Catatonia Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
9. Opoid Use Disorder and Acute Pain
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
10. Psychiatric Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
11. Functional Neurological Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
12. Factitious Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
13. Sleep Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
14. Sexual Dysfunction
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
15. Psychological Factors Affecting Medical Conditions
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
16. Personality Disorder in the Medical Setting
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
17. Developmental Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
18. Eating Disorder
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
19. Electroconvulsive Therapy ECT
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
20. Treatment Nonadherence
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]
21. Drug-Drug Interactions
[Learner Version] [Facilitator Version]