Problem-Based Learning Discussions for Teaching Fundamentals of Anesthesia

During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the AAMC recommended medical schools suspend student clinical rotations and encouraged medical educators to develop alternative educational tools to provide clinical learning for students. To this end, we developed a series of problem-based learning discussions (PBLDs) designed to walk medical students through the perioperative period they would navigate on their third-year anesthesiology rotation. These PBLDs emphasize fundamental anesthesiology concepts for medical students, including: performing focused preoperative history and physical exam, planning for induction of general anesthesia, confirming successful intubation, and trouble-shooting common postoperative concerns. Each PBLD includes learning objectives, a case stem, key discussion questions, and a facilitator notes attachment. The PBLD modules can be used separately or in a series. The PBLD sessions are intended to take place with one moderator and a small group (4-8) of medical students. Each of the sessions was designed to last approximately 1 hour. The sessions may take place over a virtual conferencing platform or in person. Ideally, participants are provided the outline and learning objectives of each session with enough time beforehand to familiarize themselves with the format and goals. No other preparation is necessary.