Conversational Learning in Medical Education: Clinical Problem Solving Around Chronic Persistent Headache

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors frequently experience headaches, often labeled as a psycho-social aftermath of poor adjustment to the reality of decreased brain function, but they may be the result of actual physical sequelae of the TBI. This article illustrates an active experiential learning exercise set in a in a user-driven learning environment using a web interface. Using a conversational learning approach, the discussion was centered around a neurological problem on the topic of chronic persistent headache, which generates a considerable amount of diagnostic uncertainty and interventional dilemma among physicians. The physician members of an online forum shared their viewpoints and insights regarding the topic. By utilizing a blend of experiential and empirical evidence, they collaboratively reached a solution. User-driven learning can serve as a potential learning tool in continuing medical education and also as a valuable educational resource to medical students, helping them develop empathy and real-life problem solving skills. Also, when such conversations involve multiple stakeholders (patients and their relatives, physicians and other health-care providers, medical students, etc.) it can foster a collaborative interface which is the essence of user-driven healthcare.