Case Based Learning (CBL) tutorial cases
Case-Based Learning
Dalhousie Medicine’s case-based learning (CBL) curriculum integrates biomedical science with clinical reasoning through real-world patient scenarios. Students work in small groups to explore cases, advancing their critical thinking and communication skills and instilling a deeper understanding of patient-centred care.
Tutors play a facilitative role in tutorials—guiding small-group discussions through clinical reasoning using open-ended and probing questions, supporting students in achieving explicit learning objectives. Tutorial cases are located within the Med 1 and Med 2 Brightspace pages.
Faculty development supports tutors in developing the skills they need to facilitate case-based learning (CBL) tutorials. Please find more information on our Foundations of Cased-Based Tutoring in Medical Education course.
Case Diversification
In 2023, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine diversified its Med 1 and 2 case-based learning to better reflect the diversity of real patient populations and social contexts, helping learners recognize bias and provide more equitable, patient-centered care.
The Case Diversification Working Group released a series of resources for students, tutors, and faculty members on the changes made to the CBL tutorial cases, and on the dimensions of diversity that have been added to the cases. The new cases for the Med 1 class were rolled out during the 2022/23 academic year. The new Med 2 cases were implemented starting in the 2023/24 academic year.
Case Diversification resources for tutors, students, and faculty members:
FacDev Lounge Podcast – “Why we are changing the way we teach to reflect the patients we actually see” with Dr Lynette Reid and Dr Sanja Stanojevic (hosted by Dr Sarah Gander)
Introduction to case diversification for students and tutors (important for the first cases of the year, as it discusses the approaches tutorial groups can take to discussion of these dimensions of diversity.)
Names in cases and tutorial groups
A race-conscious approach to CBL cases
Sexual orientation and sex/gender identity in case diversification
Intersectionality in CBL case diversification
The social determinants of health (SDOH) in CBL cases
Weight and health in CBL cases
Ability, disability, and difference in diversified CBL cases
Now online - UGME Curriculum Map
Videos:
Case Diversification for Tutors with Dr Lynette Reid (23:20 minutes)
Case Tutorial Process Part 1 with Dr Lynette Reid (11:09 minutes)
Case Tutorial Process Part 2 with Dr Lynette Reid (11:52 minutes)
Recommended that tutors attend White Fragility Clinics which are available to register for throughout the year to discuss any challenges around language and experiences.
Webinar Recordings:
Contact FacDev@dal.ca for available recordings.