Shahroud University of Medical siences Shahroud Journal of Medical Sciences 2423-6594 11 2 2025 07 18 Problem-Based Learning in Occupational Health & Safety: The Key to Fostering Critical Thinking and Creativity in Students 57 58 eng Mohammad Hossein Ebrahimi Occupational Health Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.. ebrahimi_mh@hotmail.com Vahid Gharibi Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Environmental and Occupational Health Research Center,School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.. gharibivahid@gmail.com 2025 07 12 2025 08 02 Aims: This letter highlights the importance of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) education as a means to develop critical thinking and creativity among students. Methods: A narrative review of global PBL applications in OHS education and analysis of challenges in Iran’s educational system. Findings: Traditional teaching methods inadequately prepare students for complex OHS challenges. PBL promotes active learning, problem-solving, and creativity, as demonstrated by successful implementations in universities such as Maastricht and McMaster. Barriers in Iran include faculty unfamiliarity, rigid curricula, and assessment systems focused on memorization. Conclusion: Adoption of PBL, supported by faculty training, curriculum reform, modern technologies, and university-industry collaboration, is essential to cultivate competent OHS professionals in Iran.