Problem-based Learning, Multimedia, and a Paucity of Behavioral Issue Learning

Although the Institute of Medicine attributes significant mortality in the United States to behavioral and social issues, these topics are commonly not prioritized areas of learning by medical students. A common belief is that problem-based learning (PBL) is an effective method to stimulate learning in these areas. While examining the effects on behavioral and social issue learning of a multimedia case implementation in an established PBL curriculum, it was discovered that PBL was not effective in stimulating learning in these areas. Furthermore, the lack of improvement with the multimedia case highlighted the fact that case sequencing in the curriculum is part of the curriculum. The findings highlight the need for better ways to stimulate learning of behavioral and social issues in problem-based learning.