Clinical reasoning is the thinking process that turns assessment findings into accurate, individualised decisions. This framework breaks it into repeatable steps you can apply to any patient.
The reasoning cycle
Gather the subjective history and form early hypotheses
Estimate pre-test probability for each hypothesis
Select objective tests that confirm or refute, and interpret them as clusters
Screen for red flags and decide whether referral is needed
Commit to a working diagnosis and a measurable management plan
Re-assess asterisk signs and revise the hypothesis