Open AccessProblem-based learning as an effective learning tool in community medicine: Initiative in a private medical college of a developing country
Author(s) -
Nitin Joseph,
Sharada Rai,
Deepak Madi,
Kamalakshi G. Bhat,
Sushma R Kotian,
Supriya Kantharaju
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
indian journal of community medicine/indian journal of community medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.375
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1998-3581
pISSN - 0970-0218
DOI - 10.4103/0970-0218.177535
Subject(s) - brainstorming , problem based learning , medical education , session (web analytics) , medicine , perception , tutor , psychology , health care , academic year , mathematics education , computer science , artificial intelligence , neuroscience , world wide web , economics , economic growth
Knowledge of community medicine is essential for health care professionals to function as efficient primary health care physicians. Medical students learning Community Medicine as a subject are expected to be competent in critical thinking and generic skills so as to analyze community health problems better. However, current teaching by didactic lectures fails to develop these essential skills. Problem-based learning (PBL) could be an effective strategy in this respect. This study was hence done to compare the academic performance of students who were taught Community Medicine by the PBL method with that of students taught by traditional methods, to assess the generic skills of students taught in a PBL environment and to assess the perception of students toward PBL methodology.