The author believes that the symbol-based method improves the teaching of clinical observation skills and in addition functions as a useful memory aid and motivational instrument for medical students. The corners of the triangle may represent the following: (i) signs and symptoms; (ii) general impression of the patient; (iii) behavior toward the physician. Skills in clinical observation represent key competencies for every practicing physician.[1] In recent years, the teaching of observational skills has regained the status of a core curricular component.[2] However, there is a lack of theoretical and conceptual framework, and thus major challenges concerning the methods and educational settings.[3] Based on older publications, Boudreau et al. defined a set of eight core principles in clinical observation.[4] One of them, and perhaps the most important, is the principle that in medicine, observation occurs on multiple levels and is not limited to simply gathering signs and symptoms. [Extracted from the article]