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Problem-based learning in American medical education: an overview
1Department of Pathology, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia 31207.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a significant shift in medical education, emphasizing student-led inquiry and contextualized knowledge acquisition. This innovative approach is increasingly adopted across North American medical schools.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Problem-based learning (PBL) represents a major transformation in American medical education, comparable to the impact of the Flexner report.
- PBL integrates fundamental knowledge acquisition with practical problem-solving, mirroring the context of future application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the trend and implementation of problem-based learning in North American medical education.
- To highlight key features and historical milestones of PBL adoption in the U.S. and Canada.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the shift towards PBL in medical curricula.
- Identification of common pedagogical elements in PBL programs.
- Review of the historical adoption of PBL in North American institutions.
Main Results:
- McMaster University established the first North American PBL curriculum in 1969.
- The University of New Mexico and Mercer University School of Medicine were early adopters in the United States.
- Common PBL features include small-group discussions, facilitator roles for faculty, and student autonomy.
Conclusions:
- The advantages of PBL are widely perceived to outweigh its disadvantages.
- PBL is expected to see broader implementation across various educational levels in the future.