PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING AS A TRAINING MODALITY IN THE OCCUPATIONAL-MEDICINE CURRICULUM

Problem-based learning has been used as a curricular modality in the a cademic year of the Occupational Medicine Residency Program. The metho d was applied to the resolution of problems presented by patients refe rred to a university clinic specifically for the determination of poss ible work-relatedness of the syndrome or symptoms presented. Following the usual development of the occupational and medical histories, phys ical examination, and determination of certain clinical laboratory val ues, the resident would then have to seek assistance through consultat ion with related specialists, a perusal of the pertinent toxicology, e pidemiology, or other discipline literature, and ultimately prepare a university-level report, following case conferences with fellow reside nts and faculty members. No formal direction was given the student, th e problems of diagnosis, occupational etiology and medicolegal accepta nce of the resulting report having to be resolved through self-perusal of informational sources. The knowledge gained from the exercise woul d be longer-tasting than that attained strictly from lecture attendanc e.