Problem Solving

Levels of Achievement

Level 1

The level 1 student will display competence in the basic problem solving skills outlined in the Criteria for Assessment as applied to a medical problem. The student is familiar with the knowledge base required to frame, understand, and solve a uni-dimensional or straightforward problem.

Level 2

Competency at level 2 requires use of a bio-psycho-social medical knowledge base and clinical skills to identify and solve relatively straightforward problems in the context of medical care. The student will demonstrate the ability to identify and integrate information from multiple contexts with appropriate problem-solving strategies to solve problems. The patient centered, problem-based learning formulas of pathophysiology provide a good vehicle for assessment. Using the problem-solving skills developed to achieve level 2, the student should be able to complete a task using knowledge from multiple domains.

Level 3

Level 3 students will take appropriate steps to address multi-dimensional problems of a biomedical nature that require a detail knowledge base. Students should be able to integrate the basic sciences and clinical aspects of medicine with knowledge of the behavioral sciences, spanning the spectrum from the molecular to the community level and from conception to old age. Using well-developed problem-solving frameworks and tools that facilitate activation and integration of the other knowledge bases to accomplish the above problem-solving criteria.