This book is designed for medical teachers who wish to consider problem-based learning as an educational method to be used in their courses or curriculum in medical school. The first six chapters elaborate the background for a well-designed problem-based learning curriculum by considering the goals of undergraduate medical education, the challenge…

The self assessment technique described here allows a student to evaluate his own clinical skills without the need for a faculty observer. In use for over two years for medical and nursing students and residents in the area of neurology, it requires the services of a simulated patient, a videotape machine, and a secretary. (JT)

Describes and evaluates nine 3-day faculty education workshops designed to assist in developing skills for training and use of simulated patients. Conclusion: active participation in developing and using a new skill with immediate feedback from peers and students is effective for refreshing or developing educational skills of health professional…

A series of simulated patient experiences were presented to two groups of five students concurrently with a regularly scheduled integrated course in neuroscience. Results showed increased motivation, problem solving, and self-study skills in the experimental groups as compared to the control groups, which were also enrolled in the neuroscience…

The faculty of medicine at McMaster University has an approach to medical education which includes self-directed, problem-based, and small-group tutorial learning. There is an emphasis on diagnostic evaluation, selective use of learning resources, and integrated learning and educational planning. (Editor/PG)

The Portable Patient Problem Pack (P4), a method of simulating a patient's problem in a card deck format, is designed to develop the student's problem-solving or diagnostic skills in a manner consistent with the skills of the practicing clinician. Its effectiveness at McMaster University is reported. (LBH)

A set of instructional materials for acquisition of clinical reasoning skills through independent study has been developed that uses simulation of patient encounters and addresses both medical and psychosocial issues. Small group instruction with the materials is preferred over individual use. (MSE)

Simulated patients can standardize the presentation of a patient problem, and, if the patients are employed in an assessment, the assessment can have an objectivity similar to that of written tests. The results and feasibility of using simulated patients in an assessment are described. (Author/MLW)

Describes "authentic" problem-based learning (PBL) as a specific teaching method that addresses all the educational objectives possible with PBL: acquisition of a rich body of deeply understood knowledge; development of effective clinical problem-solving skills; and development of an insatiable curiosity and a desire for continuous learning…

Discussion of the problem-based learning approach in higher education looks at its origins in medical curricula, characteristics of the original method, the variety of educational objectives possible with this approach, problem-based curriculum development, advantages of the method, and its use outside the medical domain. (MSE)

The best way to determine the scope of the clinical education of medical students is to define competencies expected of newly graduated physicians (exit objectives). These objectives ensure that the scope of education includes the content, teaching/learning methods, and evaluation techniques that will result in a competent, professional product.…