Problem Based Learning

Like something out of an episode of "House MD", our first year medical class broke up into small groups to make our attempt at a clinical case.

Problem Based Learning

I was a little unprepared when I was chosen to be the group leader for our first case. We were asked to develop questions and an organized method of investigating a case to obtain a history and physical. Fortunately, we had a faculty physician to guide our steps in the right direction or it may have taken a lot longer to get to the treatment.

Although these are simulations, it is a great way to see how our knowledge base has advanced. The clinical skills may be lacking, but we can still apply diagnostic tests, reasoning, and questioning skills to build a case and develop a differential diagnosis.

Every couple weeks we gather again to work another case and hone the skills we will need next year when we have patient actors. Although House may be make-believe, the process of getting to a working diagnosis is still a matter of clinical processing. It is going to take a lot of practice before we feel comfortable in that position. If you have suggestions in collecting a patient history, SOAP notes or other case building ideas, please leave them in the comments below.

Clinical Corner

Hygiene

One of the easiest ways to avoid illness is to wash your hands often. It takes little time and avoids the frustration of becoming sick.