The clinical skills teaching in the PBLC vs. Standard curriculum was discussed extensively. Pathophysiology is difficult to teach without clinical knowledge. Physical exam skills are highly variable for PBLC 2 nd year students. PBLC mentors for the 1 st year are limited in number, especially since the class size has increased. Start the 2 nd year off with a clean slate.
Teaching has to be practiced - under observation.
Longitudinal mentoring could be used to mentor students in specific skills consistently throughout their 4 years. Other mentors would work on problem integration and solving, year by year, with the students. The two types of mentors would work synergistically for teaching students. This concept is to be discussed further.