The ultimate objective of our course in gross anatomy at Tulane is that our students be able to diagnose unfamiliar clinical problems of disease or trauma altered anatomy, given the patient complaint and appropriate physical and laboratory tests.  To this end they must first learn the language of anatomy, the human morphology, and the function of that anatomy.  In addition to numerous practice problems, we also provide them with six rather elaborate Problem-Based Learning sessions (PBLs) to solve in small teams with a faculty facilitator participating minimally.  These are actual cases presented in a paper format, requiring the students to take a history, develop an appropriate physical exam, call for and receive appropriate lab tests, including radiographs, and diagnose the problem. This year we have piloted the use of Standardized Patients (SPs), simulating the case, to actualize the PBL by allowing students to interact with the SP when taking the history and performing the physical exam. 

In this one-hour IAMSE Audio Seminar, Ms. Rogan and Dr. Kirby will describe the PBL, present video excerpts, describe the preparation of the SPs and the facilitators, and evaluate the outcome from the perspective of the SPs, students, and faculty.