[Problem-based medical teaching].

Abstract

A possible method of improving teaching at faculties of Health Sciences is the so-called problem-based teaching method. A student is presented with a (clinical) medical case, which is to be investigated. By means of this method, the student himself will, under guidance, formulate his individual lack of knowledge, goals, priorities, methods, and evaluation. Educational observations show that the learning process is better when the problem-solving takes place among a group of students. A tutor acts as a catalyst for the process and gives feed-back through the problem-solving. He is therefore not an intermediary of knowledge to the group, but primarily refers the student to literature or knowledge experts at the faculty. International studies have not proven any unequivocal improvement in the students' ability to pass exams or to work as doctors, but both teachers and students seem to be more satisfied with the teaching method, which has stimulated the wish to study. The use at other faculties has not caused any large increase in expenditures. This should result in an increased use of problem-based teaching in medical education.