Students’ perceptions of early patient encounters in a PBL curriculum: A first evaluation of the Maastricht experience

Abstract

Introduction: Real patient encounters before the clinical phase of undergraduate medical education are recommended to stimulate integration of theory and practice. Such encounters are not easy to integrate into the three phases of the problem-based learning cycle, i.e. preparation, self-study and reporting. The authors studied students’ perceptions of problem-based learning with real patient encounters as the starting point for learning.

Method: Students’ perceptions of the programme with real patients were evaluated by means of a questionnaire. Mean item scores on a five-point Likert scale and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results: Students showed satisfaction with the patient encounters and said they learned a lot from them. Reporting was also highly rated, particularly the integration of theory and practice. Preparation and self-study received lower scores.

Discussion: The findings support the view that real patient encounters can act as a powerful driving force for learning and enhance integration of theory and practice. Student learning might benefit from: better information to students and teachers regarding educational objectives, teacher training and careful selection of patients. In order to gain more insight into learning from patient encounters, further studies should address students’ and teachers’ views and behaviours in respect of this type of learning.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Agnes D. Diemers

AGNES D. DIEMERS, MD, works at the Skillslab of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University, the Netherlands. She holds a Master of Health Professions Education.

Diana H.J.M. Dolmans

DIANA D. DOLMANS, PhD, is Associate Professor and an Educational Psychologist. She works at the Department of Educational Development and Research at Maastricht University, the Netherlands.

Marijke van Santen

MARIJKE VAN SANTEN works as a rheumatologist at the Department of Internal Medicine at University Hospital Maastricht, the Netherlands. Together with Scheltus van Luijk she introduced real patient encounters in the preclinical phase of the Maastricht curriculum, and was coordinator of this part of the programme of the Maastricht curriculum.

Scheltus J. van Luijk

SCHELTUS J. VAN LUIJK, MD PhD, worked at the Department of Educational Development and Research at Maastricht University at the time of the study. With Marijke V. Santen he introduced real patient encounters in the preclinical phase of the Maastricht curriculum. Nowadays he works at the Department of Medical Education, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Ameike M.B. Janssen-Noordman

AMEIKE M. B. JANSSEN-NOORDMAN, MSc, is an Educational Scientist. At the time of the study she worked at the Department of Educational Development and Research at Maastricht University where she participated in curriculum evaluation.

Albert J.J.A. Scherpbier

ALBERT J. J. A. SCHERPBIER, MD PhD, is Professor of Medical Education and Scientific Director of the Institute for Medical Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.