CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING TUTOR IN CLINICAL MEDICINE

The Department of Surgery at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center recently incorporated the problem-based learning (PBL) method into its third-year clerkship. The role of the tutor in the PBL format, which emphasizes small-group learning, proved critical. PBL sessions succeed or fail in direct proportion to the tutor's preparedness and training for the task organizational abilities, interpersonal skills, and sensitivity to students. Ideal PBL tutors must be activators rather than facilitators. Activators cause active student learning by motivating and leading students with appropriate, open-ended questions. This article focuses on the skills possessed by outstanding tutors, including imagination, creativity, personality, and temperament. These characteristics are listed as goals for tutors and areas that may need development as we attempt to improve our tutorial abilities.