Studium Medizin

POL is an established teaching and learning method in medicine in which exemplary problems are worked on in small groups using realistic case studies. Students apply the skills they have already acquired and develop routines and strategies for case-related decision-making and cooperation.

In the Medicine model degree programme at Bielefeld University, the so-called POL cases are used throughout the curriculum so that a broad spectrum of treatment occasions and contextual factors can be covered. A special focus is placed on dealing with the diversity of patients on the one hand and on interprofessional and cross-sectoral cooperation in the healthcare system on the other.

The casework process, which lasts several weeks, is divided into a kick-off meeting, a self-directed work phase and a final meeting at which the results are presented and discussed. Both meetings follow a schematic sequence (based on the Siebensprung method according to Weber, 2007, see illustration). At the end of a case study, the students document their results and learning achievements.