Problem-based learning in occupational therapy: why do health professionals choose to tutor?

For over 20 years the occupational therapy programmes offered by McMaster University and Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario have used small-group, problem-based learning tutorials as a major component of their curriculum. These programmes were among the first occupational therapy programmes in the world to use a problem-based tutorial format. The inclusion as tutors of both full-time faculty and clinicians, from all clinical practice areas, was central to the design of the problem-based learning courses. A survey of all tutors from the last 20 years collected information about why health professionals are motivated to tutor and what they see as challenges to maintaining this educational role. Three primary themes emerged from the data: being an educator; being a learner and present and future challenges to continuing with the tutoring role. Within the educator theme there was a secondary theme of professional duty or obligation. In addition, the participants identified suggestions for enhanced support and continuing education for tutors. This article summarizes the findings of the survey.