Objective To evaluate the role that problem based learning (PBL) teaching plays in the education of doctors. Methods A total of 240 7-year students who entered the China Medical University in Shenyang in 2004 were divided into two groups: one group used PBL teaching model while the second group used a traditional teaching model. There were 120 students in each group. At the end of the teaching, a questionnaire on PBL teaching model was distributed to the both groups. We organized and classified answers to the questionnaire and conducted statistical analyses. Results Problem based learning is a model for education in which students dominate the course, question the case, look for evidence, participate in the group discussion and reach resolution. This emphasizes the process of learning and the training of student abilities, instead of the teaching of knowledge only. PBL is more effective at meeting the requirements of the global minimum essential requirements in medical education (GMER). Conclusions PBL teaching plays an important role in the training of doctors
