Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical method commonly used at medical schools around the country. The overall objective of PBL is to introduce students to the skills required to integrate basic science knowledge and new clinically relevant evidence into a useful clinical construct, so that they can apply and amend this knowledge during their clinical clerkships in medical school and in their subsequent clinical practices. PBL, therefore, emphasizes the acquisition of the skills of information integration and application, clinical reasoning, and critical appraisal of new knowledge.
PBL will be used in the Pre-clerkship curriculum in the Spring of MS1 and the Fall of MS2. The content of the PBL cases will be coordinated with and support the lectures given in both the systems modules and the Doctoring courses. Therefore, the content covered in the cases will be assessed in summative exams for both courses. In addition, students will be assessed by their group facilitators for their participation in the process. This grade will contribute to the overall grade in the Doctoring course. Each PBL group meets in-person at the McGovern Medical School for two-hour sessions either: In a PBL class, students meet in small groups (between 6-10) with a faculty facilitator to work through a case. These cases are designed to run for 2-3 days, with each case broken down into subsections to allow students to evaluate the information and how it informs their hypotheses, differential diagnoses, treatment plans, and any other issues.
MS1 Spring • PBL Block 1 (January – March) – Hematology and Introduction to Pathology (HIP) – Cardiovascular (CV) • PBL Block 2 (March – May) – Renal – Pulmonary MS2 Fall • PBL Block 3 (August – October) – Gastrointestinal (GI) – Nervous System and Behavior (NSB) • PBL Block 4 (October – December) – NSB (cont’d) – Endocrine
The role of the facilitator in PBL is to help students ask the right questions rather than simply providing them with information, though you are also encouraged to share your own knowledge and experience. Any topics that students are unfamiliar with, or would benefit from knowing more in-depth, can be designated as ‘Learning Issues’, which are then assigned to a student to prepare a presentation to give to their group in the next session. Before the beginning of each case, Facilitators are sent a Facilitator Guide with the information students will see, as well as a discussion guide for each section with possible questions to have the students consider. The guides also include background and contextual information for Facilitators if the subject is outside of their expertise; we ask that you please DO NOT share any of this with the students. Students access their files separately through Canvas, so you don’t need to share your guide with them. PBL is a wonderful opportunity to get to know a group of second year medical students. The small groups are formative for our students’ clinical reasoning, and the students are brilliant and eager to learn. Many of the learning issues they bring to class are eye-opening, and we always have fun. You do not need to be a medical expert going in, as your role is to facilitate. The facilitator guides have helpful prompts and information at each step of the case. I can’t commit to twice a week, every week. Can I co-lead my sessions? Absolutely! We have several faculty that co-lead their sessions with another member. Can I co-lead with a fellow chief resident? Yes, under the guidance of a faculty member, a fellow or chief resident can co-lead. I’m a basic scientist/subspecialist/etc. Can I still successfully lead a PBL group? Yes, several of our groups are led by our non-clinical faculty and/or sub specialists. Our faculty guides are designed to be all inclusive of everything you need to lead a PBL group successfully. What if I can’t make a week of PBL? No problem. If another date/time works for everyone in your group, you can reschedule. You can also meet remotely for that week. Or we can find a substitute for you. Can this go on my CV? Yes! Leading PBL is a great way to boost your teaching career here at McGovern. What training do you offer for new faculty leaders? We have an orientation as well as experienced PBL facilitators who are available as a resource. The Office of Education is also available for assistance. Do you offer a stipend for leading PBL? We will be offering a one-time payment to faculty facilitating PBL. Available funds will be divided between all facilitators who sign up for each block, up to a maximum of 35 facilitators. The supplement amount will be confirmed once all facilitator assignments for the block have been finalized. Payments can be split between facilitators who share blocks, and there is no requirement to facilitate multiple blocks in one semester to be eligible. The one-time payment will be set up to be paid at the conclusion of the block. Can I join the PBL working group? Certainly. If any faculty want to join the PBL working group, we welcome any members who are interested in drafting and editing cases to our bimonthly meetings.
Director – Dr. Jean Hsu
Coordinator – Yessica Garcia Tobias