Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Lectures are one of the most common teaching methods in medical education. Didactic lectures were perceived by the students as the least effective method. Teaching methods that encourage self-directed learning can be effective in delivering core knowledge leading to increased learning. Problem based learning has been introduced as an active way of learning but it has some obstacles in developing countries where the intake is huge with minimum resources. This study introduces a new teaching approach: lectures based on problems (LBP) and evaluates their effectiveness compared to traditional lectures (TL) in physiology teaching. Methods LBP and TL were applied in physiology teaching of medical students at University of Science and Technology during their study of introduction to physiology and respiratory physiology courses. Equal number of lectures was given as LBP and as TL in each course. Students were given quizzes at the end of each course which were used to compare the effectiveness of the two types of lectures. A questionnaire was used to assess students’ satisfaction about LBP and the perceived effects of the two methods on the students’ attitude and practice towards learning physiology. Results In LBP the students have better attention ( P  = 0.002) and more active role ( P  = 0.003) than in TL. Higher percentage of students think that LBP stimulated them to use references more ( P  = 0.00006) and to use the lecture time more effectively ( P  = 0.0001) compared to TL. However, there was no significant difference between LBP and TL in the awareness of the learning objectives. About 64% of students think that LBP is more enjoyable and it improved their understanding of physiology concepts. Comparison of the students’ quiz marks showed that the means of the students’ marks in the introduction to physiology and respiratory courses were higher in the quizzes of LBP than in TL with a significant difference between them (( P  = .000), ( P  = .006) respectively. Conclusions LBP improved students’ understanding of physiology concepts and increased students’ satisfaction about physiology learning. LBP achieved some of the objectives of PBL with the minimum resources and it can be used to improve the effectiveness of the lectures.

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) originated at Case Western Reserve University in the late 1950s and it uses clinical cases or structured problems to kindle questioning, critical thinking, problem solving skills, self-learning skills, and develop team work and application of knowledge by a curriculum reformation by medical faculty. This was a cross over educational interventional study done for a period 6 months after getting IRB clearance. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: (1). To determine the effectiveness of flipped classroom compared to lecture class in teaching rational drug prescription. (2) To compare the perception of students about either methods. Materials and Methods: The students were allocated into two groups X and Y with 13 students in one group and 12 in the other group. Each group was subdivided into five subgroups. Lecture class and PBL were done in a cross over model with two topics, namely, pharmacotherapy of depression and antitubercular therapy. The academic scores and perception of students with these two methods were compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in the academic scores by the students who received lecture and PBL session for antidepressants and antitubercular therapy. However, majority of the participants had a positive perception toward PBL as compared to lectures. Conclusion: Students rated PBL to be more effective in improving teacher- student interaction, developing communication skills and team work, and generating enthusiasm in learning the topic.

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is based on adult learning theory which provides a better understanding of the problem through self-directed learning. During didactic lectures, students are receiving the information and they are memorizing it without understanding the practical applications. PBL provides an active learning environment along with the acquisition of other skills. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PBL over conventional lectures as a teaching–learning method for phase 1 medical students. Furthermore, the perception of students toward PBL was taken. Materials and Methods: PBL sessions were conducted among 100 Phase 1 medical students by dividing them into two groups and assessed by MCQs. Lecture class was taken for the whole students and again assessed by MCQs for the non-PBL topics. A comparison between the aggregate test scores was made using an unpaired t-test. Perception of students toward PBL was collected using a validated questionnaire in Likert scale and expressed as a percentage. Results: Data analysis showed the aggregate mean score of PBL as 27.96 (3.42) and conventional lecture as 22.66 (4.28) with P < 0.001, which was taken as significant. Students showed a positive response toward PBL as an effective learning tool. Conclusion: PBL is an effective teaching–learning method that can be incorporated into the medical curriculum to create medical graduates with self-directed lifelong learning skills.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of PBL–CBL combined teaching in thyroid surgery and make observations from the students’ perspectives, based on their satisfaction with the learning process. Methods We prospectively enrolled 354 fourth-year students majoring in clinical medicine, along with 232 residents, from September 2014 to June 2019. These participants were randomly allocated into either the combined PBL–CBL teaching group or the traditional lecture-based classroom group to attend a course about thyroid nodules. Both pre- and post-class quizzes were conducted. An anonymous questionnaire was also administered to both groups to evaluate the students’ perceptions and experiences. We compared the two teaching methods among all the students as well as with the fourth-year students and residents in subgroups. Results The traditional group’s pre-class quiz scores were significantly higher than the PBL–CBL group’s (as determined by a two-tailed t-test at a 95% confidence interval, T  = 16.483, P  < 0.001). After class, in the PBL–CBL group, the mean total quiz score and the basic knowledge and case analysis scores increased significantly ( P  < 0.001). The PBL–CBL group’s performance improvement was significantly higher than the traditional group’s (increasing from 52.76 to 70.51 vs. from 67.03 to 71.97). Furthermore, the scores for learning motivation, understanding, student–teacher interaction, the final examination, communication skills, clinical thinking skills, self-learning skills, teamwork skills, and knowledge absorption, as measured by the survey, were significantly higher in the PBL–CBL group than in the traditional group ( P  < 0.001). Meanwhile, the survey scores representing the amount of students’ free time the course consumed were significantly lower in the PBL–CBL group than in the traditional group ( P  < 0.001). Conclusions PBL combined with CBL may be an effective method for improving medical students’ and residents’ performance and enhancing their clinical skills.

Background Case-Based Learning (CBL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) are popular methods in medical education. However, we do not fully understand how they affect the clinical thinking skills of Assistant General Practitioner (AGP) trainees. This randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of combining CBL and PBL and compare their impact on the clinical thinking skills of AGP trainees with that of traditional lecture-based learning (LBL). Methods This randomised controlled trial involved 70 second-year AGP trainees who were randomly assigned to either the CBL-PBL group or the LBL group using a simple randomisation method. The CBL-PBL group engaged in a curriculum that integrated case-based and problem-based learning, whereas the LBL group followed a traditional lecture-based format, as described in the syllabus. To evaluate clinical thinking skills, the participants were assessed using the Clinical Thinking Skills Evaluation Scale (CTSES) and an assistant general practitioner’s professional knowledge test. In addition, this study analysed various factors that influence clinical thinking skills. Results Compared with the LBL group, the CBL-PBL group showed significantly improved performance in all domains assessed by the CTSES in post-course tests ( p  < 0.001). Specifically, the mean scores for critical, systematic, and evidence-based thinking showed notable improvement in the CBL-PBL group. Additionally, the scores on the professional knowledge test reflected a substantial increase in this group. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis showed that both CBL-PBL curriculum performance scores and number of weekly article readings significantly influenced the development of clinical thinking skills. Conclusion The CBL-PBL teaching method positively influenced the clinical thinking skills of assistant general practitioner trainees, with a positive correlation between these skills and course performance in the CBL-PBL curriculum. Trial registration Not applicable.

Background Medical education is evolving towards more practical, active, effective, and student-centered approaches that address the limitations of traditional lecture methods. Recently, the flipped classroom method has been considered to support these reforms. However, research on the use of flipped classroom methods in medical education, particularly related to clinical scenarios and educational technology, is still in its early stages. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the flipped classroom method using clinical scenarios and educational technology versus subject-based lectures in the course of gastrointestinal physiology for medical students. Methods A total of 60 medical students participated in this study. The control group ( n  = 30) received traditional subject-based lectures and participated in question-and-answer sessions. The intervention group ( n  = 30) received non-attendance educational content and participated in small group discussions based on clinical scenarios. Course satisfaction was measured using an 18-item questionnaire, and learning outcomes were assessed with a 20-question multiple-choice test, corresponding to levels 1 and 2 of Kirkpatrick’s model. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests with SPSS software version 24. Results The findings indicated that the post-test scores in the intervention group were significantly higher compared to the control group. However, according to the student satisfaction questionnaire, satisfaction was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the flipped classroom method, compared to traditional lectures, improved the learning and performance of medical students at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in the course of gastrointestinal physiology.

The introduction of problem-based learning (PBL) in 1969 is considered the greatest innovation in medical education of the past 50 years. Since then, PBL has been implemented in different educational settings across virtually all health professions. However, some PBL schools gradually faced resistance from academic staff who were more familiar with traditional teacher-centred curricula. At times this has resulted in reversion to tradition or compromise whereby PBL is implemented within a lecture-based curriculum. Resistance can also emerge in a traditional school when a PBL curriculum is being considered for implementation. One of the first signs of this erosion is doubts about PBL raised in the form of objections or criticisms. This perspective review describes eight objections raised to assert why PBL is inferior or untenable. The background to each objection is provided together with evidence-informed rebuttals derived from professional practice and the published literature. Best practices are discussed for sustainable management of a PBL-based curriculum. A well-implemented PBL curriculum with appropriate and cost-effective infrastructure, training, teaching-learning activities, and assessment will position schools to harness the full benefit of PBL in training medical and health professionals.

We compared the amounts of learning achieved using two different instructional approaches under controlled conditions. We measured the learning of a specific set of topics and objectives when taught by 3 hours of traditional lecture given by an experienced highly rated instructor and 3 hours of instruction given by a trained but inexperienced instructor using instruction based on research in cognitive psychology and physics education. The comparison was made between two large sections (N = 267 and N = 271) of an introductory undergraduate physics course. We found increased student attendance, higher engagement, and more than twice the learning in the section taught using research-based instruction.

Background This study aimed to evaluate stomatological students’ learning efficacy and their attitude towards Lecture-Team-Based Learning (LTBL) on topics regarding the design of removable partial dentures via in-class, online, and both in combination. Methods Students from seven distinct grades participated in the course in their fourth academic year (Years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). Students of Years 2015–2019 attended in-class LTBL, students of Year 2020 attended online LTBL, and students of Year 2021 attended the combination mode. The scores of three examinations were compared, namely, individual readiness assessment test, team readiness assurance test, and individual application test. Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were used for students to self-assess their mastery of prosthodontics knowledge before and after the course. Anonymous questionnaires were delivered to evaluate their satisfaction with LTBL via a Likert scale. Results In each academic year, the three exam scores were significantly improved as the course progressed and VAS-post scores were significantly higher than VAS-pre scores. The three examination and VAS scores of students in Year 2020 were significantly lower than those in Years 2019 and 2021. Students were highly satisfied with the LTBL course based on the three parameters of knowledge acquisition, teamwork, and classroom atmosphere. Conclusion Students were highly satisfied with the LTBL course and their learning performance was improved as the course progressed both in-class and online. Online LTBL could be adopted when students have to study online, while in-class LTBL could perform better when combined with video records of an online LTBL course.