Research Article

Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey

Volume: 24 Number: 74 December 22, 2025
TR EN

Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey

Abstract

Aim: Written assessment methods are widely used to assess clinical reasoning in undergraduate health professions education, yet little is known about the specific approaches used and educators’ needs. Although automatic question generation, especially AI-based, offers promising efficiency gains, the extent of its application in clinical reasoning assessment remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the needs for written clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation in undergraduate health professions education. Methods: An international web-based survey was conducted between February and June 2024. Participants were health professions educators knowledgeable about written assessment methods in their programs. The survey covered current practices, perceived importance, barriers, and needs related to written clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were used for the analysis. Results: 51 programs from 33 countries participated. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were the most widely used method (100% of programs). Short-answer questions were perceived as most important for both formative and summative assessment. Main barriers in using the written assessment methods were lack of know-how (81.6%) and insufficient time (79.6%). “Differential diagnosis” and “management and treatment” were the most commonly assessed clinical reasoning components, while ethical aspects, patient perspective, and interprofessional collaboration were the least assessed. Only 58.1% of programs provide feedback on MCQ results to students, with varying levels of detail. Awareness and use of automatic question generation methods were low, both for template-based and non-template-based (artificial intelligence) methods. Educators showed willingness to participate in training on assessment methods and automatic question generation. Conclusion: While MCQs are ubiquitous, there is recognition of the importance of other methods such as short-answer questions. Significant barriers exist in benefiting from various assessment methods. There is a clear need for faculty development and greater awareness of innovative solutions, such as automatic question generation to enhance efficiency of assessment practices in medical schools.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Ethical Statement

Gazi University Institutional Review Board approved the study on January 11, 2024 (code: 2024 – 56).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 22, 2025

Submission Date

April 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 24 Number: 74

APA
Kıyak, Y. S., Durning, S., Huwendiek, S., Wagner, F. L., & Kononowicz, A. (2025). Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası, 24(74), 73-84. https://doi.org/10.25282/ted.1681816
AMA
1.Kıyak YS, Durning S, Huwendiek S, Wagner FL, Kononowicz A. Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası. 2025;24(74):73-84. doi:10.25282/ted.1681816
Chicago
Kıyak, Yavuz Selim, Steven Durning, Sören Huwendiek, Felicitas Lony Wagner, and Andrzej Kononowicz. 2025. “Needs for Clinical Reasoning Assessment Methods and Automatic Question Generation: An International Survey”. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası 24 (74): 73-84. https://doi.org/10.25282/ted.1681816.
EndNote
Kıyak YS, Durning S, Huwendiek S, Wagner FL, Kononowicz A (December 1, 2025) Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası 24 74 73–84.
IEEE
[1]Y. S. Kıyak, S. Durning, S. Huwendiek, F. L. Wagner, and A. Kononowicz, “Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey”, Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası, vol. 24, no. 74, pp. 73–84, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.25282/ted.1681816.
ISNAD
Kıyak, Yavuz Selim - Durning, Steven - Huwendiek, Sören - Wagner, Felicitas Lony - Kononowicz, Andrzej. “Needs for Clinical Reasoning Assessment Methods and Automatic Question Generation: An International Survey”. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası 24/74 (December 1, 2025): 73-84. https://doi.org/10.25282/ted.1681816.
JAMA
1.Kıyak YS, Durning S, Huwendiek S, Wagner FL, Kononowicz A. Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası. 2025;24:73–84.
MLA
Kıyak, Yavuz Selim, et al. “Needs for Clinical Reasoning Assessment Methods and Automatic Question Generation: An International Survey”. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası, vol. 24, no. 74, Dec. 2025, pp. 73-84, doi:10.25282/ted.1681816.
Vancouver
1.Yavuz Selim Kıyak, Steven Durning, Sören Huwendiek, Felicitas Lony Wagner, Andrzej Kononowicz. Needs for clinical reasoning assessment methods and automatic question generation: An international survey. Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası. 2025 Dec. 1;24(74):73-84. doi:10.25282/ted.1681816