Problem-Based Behavioral Science and Psychiatry PDF EBOOK
Welcome to Problem-Based Behavioral Science and Psychiatry. In this chapter, our aims are to illustrate how the problem-based learning process works so that you can apply it to the other cases in this textbook.
The goals of this chapter are:
1. To provide the reader with a guided experience on “how to use this textbook”
2. To review basic principles of problem-based learning and the rationale for why
this approach is used
3. To illustrate, with a sample case, the processes of
(a) “Progressive disclosure”
(b) Identifying facts/problems, hypotheses/differential diagnoses, additional
clinical information needed, and learning issues
(c) Thinking about underlying neurobiology and other physiological mechanisms
to understand the signs and symptoms of a case
4. To review the more generic process of bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual formulation,
in order to understand the various perspectives offered by patient cases
Because a textbook is not the same as a patient encounter or face-to-face smallgroup discussion, we are not claiming to represent problem-based learning (PBL) in a pure or “authentic” form (Barrows, 1986,2000). However, we hope to integrate many of the principles and potential benefits of PBL into this textbook.
PBL, as described by Norman and Schmidt (1992), aims to endow learners with the skills of clinical reasoning, cooperative learning, and patient-based integration of knowledge. In its ideal form, it begins with an initial free-inquiry process, in which learners explicitly discuss hypotheses and additional lines of investigation.
This is followed by a period of self-directed learning and a synthesis and application of information back to the case. The student then has an opportunity to critically evaluate the initial clinical reasoning process. Because PBL attempts to integrateinformation from multiple disciplines, all phases of the process emphasize attentionto the biological, behavioral, and populational aspects of the case. Certain articles (Guerrero, 2001; Guerrero et al., 2003) have discussed how certain learning tools can be used to ensure that beneficial PBL processes actually occur in the course of studying a case.We will illustrate these tools, including “mechanistic case diagramming,” as part of this sample case.
When compared to traditional learning methods, PBL may enhance the application of concepts to clinical situations, long-term retention of knowledge, and lifelong interest in learning (Norman and Schmidt, 1992). It has been shown to improve student and faculty satisfaction and educational outcomes in numerous
clinical disciplines, including family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatry (Washington et al., 1999; McGrew et al., 1999; Kaufman and Mann, 1999; Curtis et al., 2001; Nalesnik et al., 2004; McParland et al., 2004). Furthermore, we believe that psychiatry and the behavioral sciences, because of the inherently integrative and holistic approaches of these subject areas, are particularly well suited for study in a PBL format (Frick, 2005; Zisook, 2005). Peters et al. (2000) reports on the longitudinal outcomes of a randomized controlled trial and concludes that the New Pathways Program at Harvard Medical School—of which PBL is one important component—improved students’ interpersonal skills and humanistic approach to
patient care, with no loss in medical knowledge.
We will illustrate the problem-based learning process as applied to cases in this textbook. Typically, each chapter will begin with an introductory paragraph for a case.
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The goals of this chapter are:
1. To provide the reader with a guided experience on “how to use this textbook”
2. To review basic principles of problem-based learning and the rationale for why
this approach is used
3. To illustrate, with a sample case, the processes of
(a) “Progressive disclosure”
(b) Identifying facts/problems, hypotheses/differential diagnoses, additional
clinical information needed, and learning issues
(c) Thinking about underlying neurobiology and other physiological mechanisms
to understand the signs and symptoms of a case
4. To review the more generic process of bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual formulation,
in order to understand the various perspectives offered by patient cases
Because a textbook is not the same as a patient encounter or face-to-face smallgroup discussion, we are not claiming to represent problem-based learning (PBL) in a pure or “authentic” form (Barrows, 1986,2000). However, we hope to integrate many of the principles and potential benefits of PBL into this textbook.
PBL, as described by Norman and Schmidt (1992), aims to endow learners with the skills of clinical reasoning, cooperative learning, and patient-based integration of knowledge. In its ideal form, it begins with an initial free-inquiry process, in which learners explicitly discuss hypotheses and additional lines of investigation.
This is followed by a period of self-directed learning and a synthesis and application of information back to the case. The student then has an opportunity to critically evaluate the initial clinical reasoning process. Because PBL attempts to integrateinformation from multiple disciplines, all phases of the process emphasize attentionto the biological, behavioral, and populational aspects of the case. Certain articles (Guerrero, 2001; Guerrero et al., 2003) have discussed how certain learning tools can be used to ensure that beneficial PBL processes actually occur in the course of studying a case.We will illustrate these tools, including “mechanistic case diagramming,” as part of this sample case.
When compared to traditional learning methods, PBL may enhance the application of concepts to clinical situations, long-term retention of knowledge, and lifelong interest in learning (Norman and Schmidt, 1992). It has been shown to improve student and faculty satisfaction and educational outcomes in numerous
clinical disciplines, including family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatry (Washington et al., 1999; McGrew et al., 1999; Kaufman and Mann, 1999; Curtis et al., 2001; Nalesnik et al., 2004; McParland et al., 2004). Furthermore, we believe that psychiatry and the behavioral sciences, because of the inherently integrative and holistic approaches of these subject areas, are particularly well suited for study in a PBL format (Frick, 2005; Zisook, 2005). Peters et al. (2000) reports on the longitudinal outcomes of a randomized controlled trial and concludes that the New Pathways Program at Harvard Medical School—of which PBL is one important component—improved students’ interpersonal skills and humanistic approach to
patient care, with no loss in medical knowledge.
We will illustrate the problem-based learning process as applied to cases in this textbook. Typically, each chapter will begin with an introductory paragraph for a case.
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