Biomaterial Database

Problem-based learning in public health workforce training: a discussion of educational principles and evidence. 2007

Lyndal J Trevena

School of Public Health, The University of Sydney. lyndalt@health.usyd.edu.au

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been implemented within numerous undergraduate health curricula but less so in workforce training. Public health practice requires many of the skills that PBL aims to develop such as teamwork, self-directed learning and the integration of multiple sources of information within problem solving. This paper summarises the historical development of PBL and the educational principles underpinning it. It hypothesises that the public health workforce would benefit from some exposure to this type of learning and highlights some of the practical issues for its implementation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009517	New South Wales	A state in southeastern Australia. Its capital is Sydney. It was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and first settled at Botany Bay by marines and convicts in 1788. It was named by Captain Cook who thought its coastline resembled that of South Wales. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p840 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p377)
D011634	Public Health	Branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and control of disease and disability, and the promotion of physical and mental health of the population on the international, national, state, or municipal level.	Community Health,Environment, Preventive Medicine & Public Health,Environment, Preventive Medicine and Public Health,Health, Community,Health, Public
D011635	Public Health Administration	Management of public health organizations or agencies.	Administration, Public Health
D003479	Curriculum	A course of study offered by an educational institution.	Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D018794	Problem-Based Learning	Instructional use of examples or cases to teach using problem-solving skills and critical thinking.	Active Learning,Curriculum, Problem-Based,Experiential Learning,Problem-Based Curricula,Curricula, Problem-Based,Curriculum, Problem Based,Learning, Active,Learning, Experiential,Learning, Problem-Based,Problem Based Curricula,Problem Based Learning,Problem-Based Curriculum
D020375	Education, Distance	Education via communication media (correspondence, radio, television, computer networks) with little or no in-person face-to-face contact between students and teachers. (ERIC Thesaurus, 1997)	Correspondence Courses,Distance Education,Distance Learning,Online Education,Online Learning,Correspondence Course,Course, Correspondence,Education, Online,Learning, Distance,Learning, Online,Online Educations
D040381	Education, Public Health Professional	Education and training in PUBLIC HEALTH for the practice of the profession.	Public Health Education for Professionals