Small group effectiveness in a Caribbean medical school’s problem-based learning sessions

Purpose: The tutorial group effectiveness instrument was developed to provide objective information on the effectiveness of small groups. Student perception of small group effectiveness during the PBL process has not been previously studied in Xavier University School of Medicine. Hence the present study was carried out. Methods: The study was conducted among the second and third semester undergraduate medical students during the last week of September 2013, in Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba, Kingdom of the Netherlands. Students were informed about the objectives of the study and invited to participate after obtaining written, informed consent. Demographic information like gender, age, nationality and whether the respondent had been exposed to PBL before joining the institution were noted. Student perception about small group effectiveness was studied by noting their degree of agreement with a set of 19 statements using a Likert type scale. Results: Thirty four of the 37 (91.9%) second and third semester medical students participated in the study. The mean cognitive score was 3.76 while the mean motivational and demotivational scores were 3.65 and 2.51 respectively. The median cognitive category score was 27 (maximum score 35) while the motivation score was 26 (maximum score 35) and the demotivational score was 12 (maximum being 25). There was no significant difference in scores according to respondents’ demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Student perception about small group effectiveness was positive. Since most medical schools all over the world already have or are introducing PBL as a learning modality, Tutorial Group Effectiveness Instrument can provide valuable information about small group functioning during PBL sessions