Evaluation of problem based learning by tutors and students in a medical faculty of Turkey

ABSTRACT

To determine the opinion of tutors and students in charge of problem-based learning [PBL] courses during the academic year of 2006-2007 about the extent of contribution of PBL to certain skills in comparison with conventional education and to clarify whether or not they are content with PBL. Cross sectional research. Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. One hundred and fifty three tutorsin charge of PBL courses during the academic year of 2006-2007 and all of the first year medical students [n=170] were included. A questionnaire was sent to the study population in June 2007. Analysis of completed questionnaire. Independent sample t-test analysis was used to determine whether mean scores were different in two groups. Majority of the tutors [87.5%] and students [97.1%] responded to the questionnaire. The question "Is PBL an application that is in general beneficial to the student?" was answered as "yes" by 66.9% of the tutors. The question "Are you content with PBL?" was answered as "yes" by 54.9% of the tutors. On the other hand, 74.5% of the students answered "yes" to this second question. Our results show that PBL is well received by tutors and students and they think that PBL offers significant contribution to the students in areas that are considered to be superior aspects of PBL when compared to conventional education. performing their education programs completely based on PBL