Problem based learning as a teaching method: Some advices to those trying to implement it in traditional medical curricula

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching philosophy that has been widely used in the faculties of health sciences after it was implemented in the medical curriculum of the McMaster University (Hamilton, Canada) in 1968. Since then, a substantial number of medical schools have started PBL programs but this teaching methodology is still seen as difficult to implement in many universities. As a consequence, the option of using PBL as a teaching method must be considered as a possibility where traditional curricula remain. PBL may be used to teach elective disciplines or as complementary activities along with the lectures. In the present article the authors offer a practical guide of how start the implementation of PBL in the traditional curricula setting, as well as what are the most frequent problems that might appear and how to solve them.