In its 13th year as an educational offering at the ASA Annual Meeting, the Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs) continue to expand to meet the needs and requests of our membership. Once again there were a record number of cases that were evaluated by members of the PBLD committee, and of the 320 submitted, 140 were selected for presentation. Sixty-five percent of all PBLDs this year will be discussed for the first time.

The topics have been broadened, and the total number of sessions has been increased. We will again present each case twice during the meeting to increase the opportunities for members to attend sessions of their choice. Although many cases are planned specifically to coincide with the new critical care and obstetric anesthesia tracks, there will be ample opportunities to participate in PBLDs in those fields on nontrack days. Pain management, cardiovascular, ambulatory and airway cases will be prominently represented, and there are increasing numbers of ethics, medicolegal and education offerings.

Last year we introduced the lower-cost refreshment sessions, which were a huge success. These will be repeated at 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. along with the traditional 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. breakfast and 12 noon to 1:45 p.m. lunch forums. Sessions will be held at Las Vegas Convention Center.

As always those who purchase PBLD tickets through preregistration will receive their “homework,” which consists of objectives, a case with leading questions and a reference list allowing adequate time for participants to develop their own approach to the clinical problem prior to the meeting. Premeeting preparation encourages involvement and helps each session to become a truly interactive discussion. Every registrant also will receive a CD-ROM that contains the entire PBLD program. Traditionally cases had been prepared with a model discussion outline, but the majority of these discussions have been expanded. This increased scholarship of the discussions allows those not present at a session to understand the objectives and salient issues involved in the case and promotes use of the cases as a teaching tool.

For those of you who have enjoyed the PBLD program in the past, we invite you to sample some of the many new offerings; and for those yet to experience problem-based learning, we encourage your participation in this exciting learning opportunity.

Meg A. Rosenblatt, M.D., is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Director, Division of Orthopedic and Regional Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.