ENDOCRINE PBL IN THE YEAR 2000

Abstract

The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU-SOM) has utilized problem-based learning (PBL) in its curriculum since 1981, when Dr. Howard Barrows joined the faculty. From 1989 to 2000, SIU-SOM implemented two parallel curricula for the basic science years (years I and II), one curriculum being a problem-based learning curriculum (PBLC). An executive decision to design and implement a single curriculum, to begin in Fall 2000, fostered a review of existing pedagogy upon which to base this new curriculum: C2000. The results of this review, which considered formal outcome measures as well as internal review in consideration of the institutional mission, led to PBL becoming the predominant pedagogy for C2000, albeit with some modifications from its PBLC predecessor. C2000, then, represents the third iteration of PBL in use at SIU-SOM, and its design and rationale offer insight for the teaching of Endocrine Physiology in a PBLC.