The present study aimed at providing an overview of the most common themes of research into medical education. Changes in frequency of occurrence of these themes over time and differences between US and European journals were studied. The most productive institutions and researchers in the field were examined. A content analysis was carried out on…

A study involving 180 Australian nursing students and 41 clinical mentors evaluated a flexible delivery system rotating clinical practice with classroom/online courses involving problem-based learning. There was evidence of increased self-confidence, self-direction, and goal setting. Faculty, students, and mentors had concerns about assessment and…

This study examined the perspectives of three graduates of a problem-based learning (PBL) physical therapy (PT) program about their clinical practice. Researchers used qualitative methods of observation, interview, and journaling to gather the data. Three sessions of audiotaped interviews and two observation sessions were conducted with the three…

The University of Manchester's problem-based medical education was anticipated to increase clinical-reasoning skills. Students generally approved of the change but suggested modifications. More work needed to be done to help students become self-directed learners. (SK)

Describes a nursing module on caring for older adults, intended to develop critical thinking and clinical skills through problem-based learning and portfolio assessment of clinical practice. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

Explores the integrative nature of problem-based curricula and describes a systematic process for content review in a problem-based curriculum. Utilizes consultation among students, faculty, and the clinical community. Delineates the advantages of this process. (DDR)

Undergraduates in clinical placement formed a team within a larger clinical team and attended problem-based tutorials. Data from exit interviews, surveys, and team conferences revealed discomfort with the preceptors' role, peer support among students, improved communication styles, and mutual learning between students and professionals. (SK)

A description of the development of a new surgery clerkship looks at institutional background (University of Kentucky College of Medicine) for the project, preliminary evaluation and planning efforts, formulation of an ideal for the clerkship, barriers to change, overcoming resistance to change, and comparisons with problem-based learning programs…

A study compared results of 2 teaching methods, traditional Socratic method (22 students) and a problem-based curriculum (35 students) in a University of Kentucky medical school surgery clerkship. Results showed the problem-based method resulted in similar knowledge level but improved clinical problem-solving skills. (Author/MSE)

The Mohawk College diploma program in occupational therapy featured problem-based small group learning and nontraditional fieldwork placements. When Mohawk's program was phased out in 1986, its philosophy was integrated into new bachelor's degree programs at McMaster University. (SK)

The format and production of the portable patient problem pack, a patient simulation method designed for problem-based learning, are described. Clinical and didactic applications and development of materials specifically for optometric education are discussed and additional information for designing optometry-related materials is appended.…

A proposed problem-based course in clinical diabetes therapy at a pharmacy school is outlined. The interdisciplinary course requires students to develop or reformulate declarative and procedural knowledge in such a way that students' cognitive strategies are enhanced. Several sample clinical cases are appended. (MSE)

Focuses on problem-based curriculum students' generation of learning issues that are guidelines for their individual study. Investigates how many learning issues can be classified as being of good quality and presents examples of well and poorly formulated ones. (DDR)

Dartmouth Medical School offers a problem-based internal medicine clerkship structured to give students an opportunity to think critically through real patient cases with unknown diagnoses and allow faculty to evaluate students' problem-solving skills, clinical judgments, and reasoning without the influence of residents. (MSE)

A model developed in Australia, designed to increase the reliability and validity of traditional final year examinations for medical students, aims to provide a profile of student performance over a range of defined competence categories. The level of competence is that expected of an intern. (Author/LBH)