Review Article

Problem-Based Learning Research in Anesthesia Teaching: Current Status and Future Perspective

Table 1

Taxonomy of problem-based learning#.

Educational
method
Description of methodBarrow’s rating of meeting
the educational objectives [32]
SCC CRP SDL MO

Lecture-based
case
(i) Information is presented as lectures first and then the cases are used to emphasize significant points
1 1 0 1
(ii) Teacher directed learning

Case-based
lecture
(i) Cases are presented first for study prior to class lecture followed by the lecture covering the relevant area
2 2 0 2
(ii) Teacher directed learning

Case-based
discussions
(i) A complete case is given to the student for study prior to class discussion, which is facilitated by a tutor
3 3 3 4
(ii) Teacher directed and student directed

Modified case
based
(i) It features sequential management problems
Students are given some information and asked to decide the action plan; following the conclusion, they are given more information
4 3 3 5

Problem or
inquiry based
(i) Students are presented with a new patient problem and allowed free inquiry in tutor led group
4 4 4 5
(ii) Teacher and student directed

Closed loop or
reiterative
(i) An extension of “inquiry-based PBL” method, in which after the initial problem solving, the students are asked to return to the original problem for reevaluation of their problem solving activities
5 5 5 5
(ii) Both teacher and student directed

Barrow’s score 1 to 5 represents the likelihood (1: least and 5: most) that the educational method will meet the educational objectives. SCC: structured clinical context, CRP: clinical reasoning process, SLD: self- directed learning, and MOT: motivation for learning [32].
#Modified from Cisneros et al. [43].