Medical problem-based learning within and beyond the classroom

Medical doctors ask the appropriate questions and perform the appropriate investigations to confirm the diagnosis. They take the appropriate actions at the appropriate time to treat the patients. How do doctors know what questions to ask and what decisions to make? In problem-based learning (PBL), an approach widely adopted in medical education, students actively explore clinical cases through group discussions under the guidance of a tutor. During this process, students identify and solve problems with reasoning and critical thinking. In doing so, students need to understand problems in the real world and apply knowledge or experience in daily life, thereby generating clinically relevant questions and integrating useful information into analysis. With a connection between lectures and everyday learning, students not only acquire the ability to assess and treat patients’ medical conditions more comprehensively but also communicate with patients and healthcare professionals more effectively. This chapter illustrates, with examples of clinical scenarios in PBL, how medical students learn to manage patients and develop interpersonal skills in a team, as well as how teachers act as facilitators to stimulate student inquiry and provide feedback to students in preparation for their clinical practice. PBL not only equips students with clinical reasoning skills but also fosters the critical thinking and adaptability essential for navigating the challenges of 21st-century healthcare.