Teaching problem solving in pathology. General Professional Education of Physicians (GPEP) anticipated

The Association of American Medical Colleges' 1984 publication, "Physicians for the 21st Century"--commonly known as the GPEP (General Professional Education of Physicians) report--advocates curricula that foster active, independent learning and acquisition of problem-solving skills. A curriculum along these principles was previously designed by the pathology department of the University of California School of Medicine, Davis. Our experience at Davis has shown that the curricular goals of the GPEP report can be attained by reorienting lectures, laboratories, and examinations toward problem solving. The result has been a significant improvement in student performance, as evaluated by subjective and objective criteria.