Problem-Based Learning: Introduction & Rationale Lecture

Problem-Based Learning: Introduction & Rationale Dr.Mohammed Sharique By the end of this session you will  Define Problem-Based Learning (PBL)  Identify reasons for using PBL in medical education  List advantages and disadvantages of PBL  Compare PBL with traditional type of educa...

Problem-Based Learning: Introduction & Rationale Dr.Mohammed Sharique By the end of this session you will  Define Problem-Based Learning (PBL)  Identify reasons for using PBL in medical education  List advantages and disadvantages of PBL  Compare PBL with traditional type of education “40 year old man with jaundice. Took 40 paracetamol tablets 72 hours ago. History of asthma. Says he wants to die. Doesn’t want any treatment.” How will you deal with the issues that he presents? “Seeing and hearing is believing, but eating is knowing”  5 History  Problem-based learning (PBL) is a total approach to education began at McMaster University Medical School over 25 years ago.  students should learn about medicine by learning through life-like patient cases and by practicing the activities clinicians do in their work.  Assessing and managing a patient would include:  gathering patient information  Hypothesizing explanations for signs and symptoms,  Gathering additional information (reading further, lab tests, imaging studies) to support or refute hypotheses, making new hypotheses, reflecting on the results of clinical action and updating one’s knowledge and skills when necessary.  Though not exhaustive, there is strong empirical and theoretical backing to support learning processes that are constructive, contextualized, self- directed and cooperative (Reviewed in Dolmans, 2005, Norman & Schmidt, 1992).  Contextualized learning emerges as an important practice because learners across a range of subjects and ages have been shown to learn more effectively when they learn through life- like situations (Bransford, 1999, Dolmans, 2005).  In other words, people learn by doing and by seeing the real things that are a part of their chosen profession,. Goals of Professional Education “Education in the professions should prepare students for action.” Charles Gragg, 1940 Harvard Business School Problem-based learning is designed to enable students to:  Engage in problems they face in life and career with initiative and enthusiasm.  Solve problems effectively using an integrated, flexible and usable knowledge base.  Employ effective self-directed learning skills to continue learning as a lifetime habit.  Continuously monitor and assess the adequacy of their knowledge, problem- solving and self-directed learning skills.  Collaborate effectively as a member of a group. What was promised? According to the early literature, PBL would contribute to  Renewal of the medical curriculum  A more student-centered learning environment  Students acquiring better clinical reasoning skills  Students acquiring better interpersonal skills  Acquisition and retention of relevant medical knowledge. Did PBL act as a enzyme for curriculum renewal? Generally: Yes  Many schools have integrated basic- science with clinical-science teaching: both horizontally and vertically,  Greater emphasis on community health needs,  Earlier introduction into the health care system,  Many schools use patient problems as focus of learning, Does PBL provide a more student- centered learning environment?  According to most studies: Yes  Students report less stress & fewer feelings of being powerless (Kuhnigk & Schauenburg, 1999),  Students feel more supported by learning environment, and experience more social support (Kiessling, et al., 2004). “ personally , I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught” ……………..(Wiston Churchill) Does PBL help students to acquire clinical reasoning skills?  According to few studies available: Yes Potentially important professional competencies of university graduates?  Getting much work done  productivity, efficiency, effectiveness  Getting work done with the help of others  team work, leadership  Getting work done in new innovative ways  creativity, problem-solving  Getting work done using science  finding,reviewing, producing, disseminating scientific knowledge Does PBL help students acquire such professional competencies?  All studies point in the same direction: Yes Advantages of PBL  PBL enhances active learning;  It is multidisciplinary;  Learning is problem driven;  Learning occurs in small tutorial groups;  Student-Centered learning;  Integrative thinking  Self directed learning  Motivation for learning;  Learning environment is realistic; and  Assessment matches educational objectives. Disadvantages of PBL  It is costly;  Large and well trained staff is needed;  More time is needed;  Large physical structure is required; and  It needs more resources. There are 2 educational approaches: one is to simply tell students what they need to know the other is to show students how to learn doing it !!!! Traditional v PBL Traditional PBL Thank you