Introducing a problem-based learning module into an occupational therapy course

There is an increasing interest in the use of problem-based learning (PBL) in the education of health professionals. As a result of the literature that advocates its use in occupational therapy education, and in response to student feedback, it was decided to introduce this approach to learning as a pilot project in one of the core courses in the School of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College, Dublin. This paper presents the results of the evaluation that was carried out prior to and after the introduction of PBL. The results showed that students’ overall level of satisfaction with the course had changed significantly and that their focus changed from what they learned to how they learned.