Aloha, greetings from Hawai‘i!

We would like to invite your medical students to register for an exciting opportunity to learn about American-style clinical reasoning and doctor-patient communication techniques.

This intensive, hands-on workshop will introduce students to teaching methods used to train students in clinical reasoning: the ability to gather information about a patient and determine the patient’s diagnosis.  Some of the unique training methods will include interviews with simulated patients, manikin simulations, small group clinical reasoning exercises and case discussion, physical examination skills, communication skills training sessions and more.

All sessions will be conducted in English.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES 

By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Take a basic patient history using natural, patient-centered communications techniques and medical English.
• Perform a basic and systematic physical examination, focused through use of clinical reasoning.
• Utilize clinical reasoning to expand the differential diagnosis, and understand the steps needed to arrive at a reasonable working diagnosis.

METHODS

• Individual teaching sessions will include hands-on activities including physical exam skills training.
• Clinical reasoning and communication skills will be taught using case-based teaching methods, simulation, and use of simulated patients.
• There will also be opportunities to interact with University of Hawai‘i medical students.

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

This workshop is appropriate for upper-level, international medical students in years 3-6 (based on a 6-year medical school program) or years 3-4 (based on a 4-year medical school program).  English fluency is not required however, the ability to carry basic English conversation is strongly recommended.  Knowledge of English medical terms is also helpful.

This workshop is limited to the first 35 registered participants. As space is limited, early registration is encouraged.

SCHEDULE

Sample schedule. This is a sample schedule from 2025 only. The final schedule will be emailed to confirmed workshop participants.

REGISTRATION

PAYMENT

The fee of $1,200 USD includes tuition, workshop materials, daily snacks, a welcome lunch, an aloha lunch (farewell), and transportation from JABSOM to the aloha lunch then the students’ lodgings.

Payment is due by Friday, March 6, 2026, Hawaii Standard Time. Instructions for payment will be arranged with participants via email upon enrollment confirmation.  Please inform Ms. Kori-Jo Kochi if more time is needed to make your payment.

Group Discount:  Schools that send 5 or more participants will be given a group discount.  Please inquire about the group discount rate by emailing kjkochi@hawaii.edu.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Cancellation of participation in the Learning Clinical Reasoning workshop will be accepted in writing until March 6, 2026 Hawaii Standard Time for a full refund of the registration fee.

Written cancellations received after March 6, 2026, Hawaii Standard Time, are subject to any costs/fees incurred by the JABSOM Office of Medical Education related to the workshop and/or the refund process, therefore a partial refund only will be granted.

IMPORTANT DATES

• March 1, 2026: Registration form deadline
• March 6, 2026: Registration fee payment deadline
• March 6, 2026: Last day to cancel registration in order to receive a full refund

FLIGHT & LODGING

Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements including flights and lodgings. We recommend staying in the Ala Moana/Waikiki areas, which are very accessible to the JABSOM campus. 

Past participants have stayed at the following lodgings:

A few helpful websites: