Examines the relationship between medical students' communication apprehension and their performance in problem-based learning sessions as assessed by a tutor and by their knowledge acquisition. (DDR)

Describes how a problem-based learning approach is used in a course on general surgery and reports the results in terms of degree of satisfaction of students, teachers, and patients. Employs interviews with a real patient with a real condition. (DDR)

In literature on problem-based learning (PBL), it is often difficult to determine whether the educational approach being described is actually PBL. Provides planners and assessors of PBL curricula with a framework for analysis. Educational activities can be categorized as PBL according to three core principles and four criteria concerning their…

Lends support to the idea that the quality of the cases used in problem-based learning affects the nature of student learning in this context. Outlines seven principles adapted from research on learning and cognition that can help guide case design. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

Reports on experiences encountered during the first 18 months of a 3-year longitudinal study. Focuses on the assessment of staff attitudes and concludes that there is stress related to work overload and a lack of time for research and publishing. Contains 20 references. (DDR)

Reports on student and faculty perceptions of group dynamics in problem-based learning situations. Gender differences were demonstrated in interpretation of over 50% of the questionnaire items. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Compares two groups of psychotherapy students with regard to their educational training in a three-year program. One of the groups attended a traditional psychotherapy program based on conventional lectures while the other attended a problem-based learning (PBL) program. The traditionally trained group reported a significantly higher level of…

Describes the different stages of tutors' evaluation process within a single discipline using a problem-based learning program and presents the results of their performance evaluation in two academic years. Confirms the existence of different tutoring styles valued by students and also the importance of continuous feedback in the improvement of…

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been recognized as an important educational strategy and has been adopted in many medical schools. There is confusion, however, about what constitutes PBL. Describes 11 steps in the continuum between PBL and information-oriented learning, task-based learning being the final step at the problem-based end of the…

Analyzes results from the final clinical examinations of two separate campuses of the University of the West Indies that use two different learning approaches. Concludes that, except for a few isolated cases, there were no statistically significant differences between the performance of the traditional group and the problem based learning (PBL)…

Discusses a new systems integrated course format that offers an attractive alternative to teachers at traditional medical schools that wish to obtain many of the benefits of problem-based learning without adopting a full problem-based learning curriculum. (Author/CCM)

Reports on educational experiences with an assessment method to assess knowledge in a problem-based learning context. This progress test is a comprehensive test sampling knowledge across all content areas of medicine reflecting the end objectives of the curriculum. (MKR)

Presents a general approach to curriculum design in the context of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and proposes ten general steps for the process. Considers prior knowledge, skills, misconceptions, educational organization, curriculum management, and evaluation procedures. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes a short problem-based course for a class of 180 students facilitated by two tutors. The course aims to assist undergraduates who have completed two years of study in basic medical sciences to apply their learning to the diagnosis and management of asthma and respiratory infections. (DDR)

Reports on the implementation of a problem-orientated undergraduate medical curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning and the mastering of practical skills. Finds that attitudes, knowledge, and skills are interrelated and contribute to an enhanced process of learning. (Author/MM)