PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING

Presented by:

Dr. Soha Rashed Aref Mostafa Prof. of Community Medicine Member of Medical Education Department Faculty of Medicine Alexandria University Egypt

New-Innovative Curricula

Traditional Continuum Medical Curricula Teacher-centered Information gathering Discipline-based

SPICES

S Student-centered
P Problem-based I Integrated

C Community-based E Elective

Hospital based
Standard Apprenticeship-based

S Systematic

what is it?

Definition of PBL
An instructional student-centered approach which uses carefully constructed clinical problems as a context for students to: define their learning needs, conduct self-directed enquiry, integrate theory and practice, and apply knowledge and skills to develop a solution to a defined problem.

The case serves as a stimulus for learning

WHAT IS PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING, AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM PROBLEM SOLVING?

Problem-solving vs. problem-based learning

- different but inter-related -

Problem-solving: arriving at decisions based on prior knowledge and reasoning Problem-based learning: the process of acquiring new knowledge based on recognition of a need to learn

PROBLEM SOLVING
Educational strategy Main characteristics Traditional discipline-based

PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING
Integrated systems-based

The focus is on - The problem comes first preparatory learning prior to without advance readings, lectures, or preparation. exposure to the problem. - The staff set the problems (case history problems in a primarily lecture- based format), and students attempt to resolve them using previously taught curricular content. - The problem serves as a stimulus for the need to know. - Based on their own prior knowledge and the identified gaps in that knowledge, students determine the learning issues within their own group. They then identify and use a variety of learning resources to study these issues and return to the group to discuss and share what they have learned.

PROBLEM SOLVING
Role of the teacher Learning environment Content expert Passive, teacher-centered

PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING
Tutor/Facilitator Learning becomes dependent upon the selfdirected efforts of the small group. This method creates a more active, studentcentered learning environment

Who is responsible for directing the learning activities

Teacher

The student decides what he/she needs to learn

Rationale for introducing PBL into the undergraduate curricula

Principles of adult learning

The rationale for PBL lies in its comparability with modern educational principles. Its approach is based on principles of adult education and self-directed learning.

Adults are motivated by learning that:

Is perceived as relevant Is based on, and builds on, their previous experiences Is participatory and actively involves them Is focused on problems Is designed so that they can take responsibility for their own learning Can be immediately applied in practice Involves cycles of action and reflection Is based on mutual trust and respect

It

differs

fundamentally

from

our

traditional curricula, in which students:

Preclinical phase (years 1-3) acquire "background" knowledge of the basic sciences

Clinical phase (years 4-6)

apply this knowledge to the diagnosis and management of clinical problems

This traditional approach has been criticised for a number of reasons:

Many existing curricula fail to meet the needs of current and future doctors
It creates an artificial divide between the basic and clinical sciences Time is wasted in acquiring knowledge that is subsequently forgotten or found to be irrelevant (The acquisition and retention of information that has no apparent relevance can be boring and even demoralising for students) Application of the acquired knowledge can be difficult

The educational objectives of PBL address many of the perceived problems in traditional medical curricula Its possible advantages over traditional approaches include: its greater relevance to the practice of medicine, its ability to promote retention and application of knowledge, and its encouragement of selfdirected life-long learning

Course material is usually systemsbased Integration of basic and clinical sciences

Integrated Systems-based Curriculum Map

Example
When studying PBL cases relating to CVS, students learn about:

Normal bodily structure and function The clinical features, diagnosis and management of common CVDs Furthermore, they learn to take a relevant clinical history and to physically examine the CVS

Knowledge is acquired in context and builds on what is already known

These facets aid knowledge retention, add interest and increase motivation to learn Students continually explore their knowledge, identify both their personal learning needs and strategies required to address them. This process helps to develop skills for life-long learning

Efficacy and advantages of PBL

PBL: the claims and the evidence

Although efficacy of PBL is difficult to evaluate, the current enthusiasm for PBL seems justified and its use is likely to increase further.

The place of PBL in the curriculum

New-Innovative Curricula

Traditional Continuum Medical Curricula Teacher-centered Information gathering Discipline-based

SPICES

S Student-centered
P Problem-based I Integrated

C Community-based E Elective

Hospital based
Standard Apprenticeship-based

S Systematic
Dominance of the curriculum

Emphasis on PBL ranges

Minor supporting role

Preclinical phase

Clinical Apprenticeship Model

Clinical phase

Problem-based learning

Time in the curriculum

A PBL-based curriculum is typically organized into a number of units based on body systems. Each unit is based on a number of PBL Cases (case=hypothetical patient whose problem requires analysis and resolution).

Hybrid curricula
In preclinical phase, PBL can be designed and timetabled so as to complement other teaching methods such as:
Lectures Practicals, other laboratory work Computer-assisted learning

Example

While learning about CVS in PBL tutorials, students dissect the heart in anatomy practicals, and have lectures on the radiological features of heart disease.

THE PBL TUTORIAL PROCESS

The PBL process is tightly structured and contains a number of key steps
The PBL tutorial: Typically consists of a small number of students (ideally between 6-10)

Key steps in the PBL tutorial process 1. Case presentation 2. Identifying key information 3. Generating and ranking hypotheses 4. Generating an enquiry strategy 5. Defining learning objectives 6. Reporting back 7. Integrating new knowledge

Is facilitated by one or more faculty tutors who guide the process without contributing directly to the solution of the problem or being the primary source of information

Meeting two times a week for two or three hours per session
Completing a case in two or three sessions

How does problem-based learning work?

What instructors do:
- Develop real-world, complex and open-ended problems such as might be faced in the workplace or daily life. - Act as facilitators, making sure students are staying on track and finding the resources they need. - Raise questions to student groups that deepen the connections they make among concepts. - Strike a balance between providing direct guidance and encouraging self-directed learning.

What students do:

- Address the problem, identifying what they need to learn in order to develop a solution and where to look for appropriate learning resources. - Collaborate to gather resources, share and synthesize their findings, and pose questions to guide further learning tasks for the group.

e.g., 6-week Cardiovascular Unit

Students might deal with 6 cases in 18 PBL tutorials

Each case is designed and written by experts with

specific learning objectives in mind

e.g., one of the LO of a case dealing with asthma might be to stimulate students to learn about the structure and function of the respiratory system. Cases are written so as to encourage students themselves to identify their own specific learning objectives. Learning process is student-directed, and the tutor functions more as a facilitator, not a didactic teacher.

Case presentation

How does a case serve as a

stimulus for learning?

Example: PBL tutorial process

1. Case presentation: The tutor provides the group with some introductory clinical information about a hypothetical patient.

Mary Smith, a 28-year-old office worker and part-time swimming instructor, comes to see her GP because of pain in her chest and shortness of breath. This has been a recurring problem in recent months and seems to be gradually worse. On the previous evening, while participating in a swimming gala, she became so short of breath that she found it difficult to walk.

2.

Identifying key information

3.

Generating and ranking hypotheses: e.g., Infection, cardiac problem, allergy, asthma, broken rib.
Allergy cardiac problem

4.

What additional information is required?

Generate an enquiry strategy:

e.g., Previous medical problems and relevant drug, family & psychosocial histories, physical exam, lab. tests.

Additional information
Further discussion with her GP reveals that Ms Smiths chest pain and shortness of breath come on following exercise, particularly in a cold environment. When she becomes particularly short of breath, she starts to wheeze. She sometimes has a dry cough and has never had haemoptysis. There is no recent history of physical trauma and no personal or family history of heart disease. She had eczema in childhood but has never had asthma. She has smoked for the past 5 years and increased her smoking to 40 cigarettes a day since she broke up with her intimate friend 3 months ago. She takes an oral contraceptive pill but no other medication.

New information
Revising their hypotheses Discard / Re-rank / Other hypotheses
Broken rib Asthma Cardiac problem Anxiety attacks with hyperventilation Possible thromboembolic disease due to oral contraceptive use

5. Defining learning objectives

Once the students have decided on a preferred hypothesis (e.g., allergy), they must explain the biomedical science mechanisms that link their hypothesis to the presenting problems.

What students know? What they do not know? What they need to know?

to further their understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and their ability to solve the clinical problem. e.g., Students may identify gaps in their knowledge of the mechanics of breathing, anatomy of airways, mechanisms of oxygen delivery to tissues, or mechanisms of pain perception.

5. Defining learning objectives (cont.)

The identification of gaps in knowledge helps students to define their learning objectives and these become the focus of self-directed study in the interval between tutorials. Learning objectives should be clear and specific and of appropriate scope to be addressed in the time available between tutorials (typically 2-3 days). At each tutorial, the group might identify three to five major learning objectives and perhaps an equal number of lesser objectives.

5. Defining learning objectives (cont.)

Although the PBL tutorial is student-centered, major

Tutors may need to provide prompts to ensure that major objectives are identified and pursued.

learning objectives are identified in advance by the case writers as part of the overall curriculum design.

In PBL, as knowledge is acquired in the context of a specific clinical problem (the problem is encountered before the student has the knowledge to understand it), it is likely to be better focused

and retained.

6. Reporting back

In the follow-up tutorial, students reconvene to report on their self-directed study and share and integrate new knowledge.
All students should contribute to the reportback and their unique perspectives are incorporated into the process of knowledge building. The exchange and debate of ideas promotes the consolidation and elaboration of new knowledge and understanding

7. Integrating new knowledge

Based on the principle that knowledge is consolidated more readily in context, students, guided by the tutor/facilitator, should relate new biomedical knowledge

to the patient's problem.

Students are required also to extend their discussion beyond the biomedical and clinical sciences and consider

the public health, socioeconomic, ethical and legal aspects of the case.

How do I get started with PBL?

Develop problems that:
Capture students interest by relating to real-world issues. Draw on students previous learning and experience. Integrate content objectives with problem-solving skills. Require a cooperative, multi-staged method to solve. Necessitate that students do some independent research to gather all information relevant to the problem.

Design assessment tools that: - Account for process (e.g. research, collaboration) as well as
content skills. - Are closely tied to course learning objectives. - Balance individual and group performance.

How to create effective PBL scenarios

Learning objectives likely to be defined by the students after studying the scenario should be consistent with the faculty learning objectives Problems should be appropriate to the stage of the curriculum and the level of the students' understanding Scenarios should have sufficient intrinsic interest for the students or relevance to future practice Basic science should be presented in the context of a clinical scenario to encourage integration of knowledge Scenarios should contain cues to stimulate discussion and encourage students to seek explanations for the issues presented The problem should be sufficiently open, so that discussion is not curtailed too early in the process Scenarios should promote participation by the students in seeking information from various learning resources

CHECKLIST FOR PROBLEM CONSTRUCTION

Is the content of the problem geared to students' prior knowledge? Is there a clear connection with one or more of the objectives of the block? Is the problem sufficiently complex to offer cues for initial discussion and for generating learning issues? Is the problem structured in such a way that it offers cues for discussion in the group? Has the problem been formulated clearly and, if possible, does it offer links with professional practice? Is the problem multidisciplinary and is clear to students? Does the length of the problem enable inclusion of all the relevant information that is needed for identifying learning issues and does the problem not contain superfluous irrelevant information? Is the available time sufficient for studying the learning issues? Is there sufficient time available for reporting on all the learning issues? Does the block offer sufficient variety in learning activities, i.e. does it include different types and formats of problems? Is the number of problems geared to the number of group meetings in the block? Has a schedule been drawn up that specifies which problems are to be discussed when? Which problems should be tackled in a specific sequence?