Refinement of a training concept for tutors in problem-based learning

The use of problem-based learning (PBL) in the Charité Berlin Human Medicine model curriculum requires the annual training of 80 to 100 new PBL tutors using PBL tutor training (PTT). Therefore, the following three measures were taken: The existing traditional PTT (Trad-PTT) was further developed into an interactive PTT (Inter-PTT), which is using more interactive teaching tools. Both PTT concepts ran for 12 months, respectively. The review of the Inter-PTT was significantly better, as the PBL tutors understood their tasks within the PBL process better and felt more motivated. A follow-up survey after the initial experience with PBL confirmed almost all the positive aspects of the Inter-PTT. In addition, the Inter-PTT was also offered to non-clinicians and other scientific staff to make the training interdisciplinary. PTT made it possible to communicate beyond specialist boundaries; however, the interdisciplinary idea was no longer detectable in the follow-up survey. In order to increase the number of available PBL tutors, a self-commitment was introduced for the departments. This increased the number of "involuntary" participants for PTT, but reduced the amount of necessary training courses. The fulfilment of self-commitment succeeded in almost all departments. A PTT tailored to the needs of the tutors is a basic prerequisite in order to excite teachers about PBL and to familiarise them with their role as learning facilitators. The increase of interactive teaching forms led to a joint interdisciplinary learning process within PTT. The excellent review of Inter-PTT makes it a solid basis for further training concepts.