Guide Line for Item Writing by National Board of Medical Education Problem-Based Learning and use of Case Clusters

Abstract

An increasing number of medical schools have adopted problem-based learning (PBL) as an
instructional strategy for portions of the basic science curriculum. Although each school’s
approach to PBL is somewhat unique, all involve the use of written patient cases (problems) in
basic science instruction. Problems are designed to stimulate learning of material from traditional
basic science disciplines (e.g, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry) from a clinical perspective,
and application of basic science principles to clinical situations is stressed. Material is typically
covered through independent study and discussed in small groups with a faculty tutor.