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…

In an experimental program, problem-based learning was used as the primary instructional method for a one-month primary-care internal medicine rotation on AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) patient care. Resident, tutor, and faculty perceptions of the problem-based approach were positive. Despite substantial initial planning, little…