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Problem-based learning, case-based learning, inquiry-based learning, patient-based learning …
Basically in these approaches the learning experience is centred on a real issue or paper-based scenario that may be a case history, a situation, a patient, or a problem of some sort that needs resolving. Content knowledge is acquired in the quest for information to manage the issue.
Generally speaking...
Case-based learning (CBL), in the Health Science context, is centred on a specific patient’s case history. The aim is to explore the patient’s medical condition, make and justify recommendations for optimal treatment bearing in mind the variables that make up that individual's needs.
Problem-based learning (PBL) is more generally based on an issue: it can be a medical condition, a public health concern, or anything that presents issues for investigation. The aim is to discover more about the context and options that improve a situation (or ‘solve’ a problem).
Inquiry-based learning (IBL) has been used as an umbrella term including all teaching and learning methods that centre on realistic situations to trigger critical thinking and analysis of information to construct new knowledge.
And you may meet other terms and other explanations. Educators have frequently used one term to mean different things, and it can be very confusing trying to sort them out!
If you are going to adopt a term to explain the way you put context into your teaching, then you must define what you mean.
But...
In the health sciences, of course, we have an additional semantic problem that other disciplines don’t face: that is that the word 'case' means something different to different professions. It might mean a focus on the person or a focus on the condition, and this causes difficulties when you try to make general statements about the methodology. (This issue is further discussed in What a case is and what it is not.)
Equally, in this age of education for wellness rather than illness, if you are dealing directly with people it’s not always helpful to think of everything revolving around a set of ‘problems’ to be dealt with (and midwives certainly don't think of the majority of their clients as presenting with problem issues!)
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