Open AccessComparison of problem-based learning and traditional teaching methods in medical psychology education in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Author(s) -
Junwei Gao,
Yang Liu,
Jinghui Zhao,
Wang Lian,
Jiao Zou,
Chunxiang Wang,
Xiaotang Fan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0243897
Subject(s) - meta analysis , context (archaeology) , china , subgroup analysis , curriculum , medical psychology , problem based learning , psychology , medical education , medline , medicine , mathematics education , pedagogy , paleontology , biology , political science , law
Background PBL approach has been widely used in many Chinese universities over the past decade. However, the effects of PBL approach on medical psychology education in China are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the PBL approach was superior to the lecture-based teaching method in the context of the medical psychology curriculum in China. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to confirm the effectiveness of PBL in Chinese medical psychology. Corresponding databases were searched for available studies, where data were extracted to calculated Hedges’ g and its 95% confidence interval in total and subgroup analyses. Subgroup analyses were also carried out. Results Nine studies with 551 cases and 496 controls were identified. The total examination scores of students in the PBL approach group were significantly higher compared with students in the traditional lecture-based teaching group under the random effect model (Hedges’ g = 1.510, 95%CI 0.792–2.227, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses based on major and school system exhibited similar results. Conclusions Our study supported the notion that the PBL approach may be applicable to Chinese medical psychology education.