Strengthing learning opportunities to promote the capacity of the public health workforce.

Problem solving skills in complex situations are particularly valued by health services and we need to develop this ability within the public health workforce. Research by Breen for the UK National Health Service found that effective workplace learning had three characteristics: it involved problem solving, occurred through group work and had the support of management.1 Problem-based learning (PBL) is well established in undergraduate and medical education, where it has been demonstrated to develop problem solving skills, critical thinking, teamwork and an ability to deal with complexity. Schmidt has shown that it helps medical students to acquire competencies relevant to professional practice.2