title: Congruence or conflict? Challenges in implementing problem-based learning across nursing cultures.
abstract: Using the "real-life" situation of delivering an Australian nursing curriculum in the Maldives, this paper argues that successful offshore delivery requires far more than simply implementing an existing programme on a different site. In health education, cultural and contextual circumstances necessitate a critical appraisal of the needs of the community and the corresponding attributes of those who provide health-care services. This means designing programmes that are process oriented and easily adapted to different circumstances, and a commitment to maintaining effective communication systems. Although it would seem that problem-based learning (PBL) provides the framework for a process-oriented, learner-centred curriculum, the paper raises questions about how universally relevant the processes embedded in PBL are and describes concerns about the intent and purpose of nominating PBL as the preferred instructional strategy for cross-cultural projects.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Problem-Based Learning Assessment and Research Centre, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, New South Wales 2308, Australia. jane.conway@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McMillan
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003469:Culture; D003479:Curriculum; D003657:Decision Making; D004493:Education / Q000592:standards; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*