title: Teaching psychosomatic medicine using problem-based learning and role-playing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Problem-based learning (PBL) has been implemented in medical education world-wide. Despite its popularity, it has not been generally considered useful for residency programs. The author presents a model for the implementation of PBL in residency programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The author presents a description of a PBL curriculum for teaching psychosomatic medicine to PGY 2 members in a psychiatry training program. The goals of PBL are to encourage self-directed learning; enhance curiosity, using case-based, contextualized learning; promote collaborative practice; and support patient-centered care. The addition of role-playing exercises helps PGY 2 residents to develop their skills from simply developing a differential diagnosis to being able to construct biopsychosocial formulations, and it provides these residents an opportunity to practice presenting case formulations to the patient and family.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Residents and faculty enjoyed the PBL role-playing sessions. Residents wanted the learning objectives given to them rather than generating their own learning objectives, to move through the cases faster, and to receive more information and more cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teaching psychosomatic medicine, using PBL and role-playing, allows many of the proposed Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine residency core competencies to be met. However, further refinement of the PBL method needs to take place in order to adapt its use to residency programs.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Denver, Denver, CO. alisonheru@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Heru
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011611:Psychosomatic Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D012381:Role Playing