COMPARISON OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING WITH TRADITIONAL LECTURES AMONG FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS IN PHYSIOLOGY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Problem based learning has emerged as an effective teaching learning method.Students taught by the problem based learning method have better problem solving skills and better long-term memory than those taught by traditional lectures.OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of problem based learning with that of traditional lecture method.METHODOLOGY: First MBBS students (n=127) were divided into two groups.One group was taught a topic from Applied Physiology by Problem based learning method and other group was taught the same topic by lecture method.Later the methods were reversed between the two groups with another topic of the same weightage.Finally feedback was obtained and post test conducted.The marks obtained in post test were analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS:The average post test score after Problem based learning (12.728) was significantly higher than that after lecture (11.079).Also majority of students liked to include Problem based learning method in curriculum for teaching Physiology.CONCLUSION: Problem based learning is a more effective method in teaching applied Physiology when compared to traditional lectures.