[Effects of problem-based medical education: 16 Dutch curriculum comparisons]

The effects of problem-based medical education on student performance were studied by curriculum comparison in 16 Dutch studies. The results suggest that students and graduates of the problem-based medical curriculum of Maastricht University in the Netherlands perform better on tests of diagnostic reasoning ability, in the area of interpersonal skills and in practical medical skills such as physical examination. No differences were found with respect to acquired medical knowledge. However, differential drop-out rates of students from the curricula compared may have masked the effects in this area.