Problem-based learning improves the academic performance of medical students in South Africa.

Med Educ

WHO Collaborating Centre on Problem-based Learning, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Transkei, Transkei 5117, South Africa.

Published: April 2005

Objectives: To compare the academic performance of students on the previous, classical, discipline- and lecture-based, traditional curriculum with that of subsequent students who followed an innovative, problem- and community-based curriculum.

Methods: This was a retrospective study that analysed the records of students who enrolled on the doctor training programme between 1985 and 1995, and the records of students who graduated from the programme between 1989 and 2002.

Outcomes: The educational outcomes assessed were the attrition and graduation rates on the traditional curriculum and those on the innovative curriculum.

Results: A total of 149 students on the traditional curriculum and 145 students on the innovative curriculum were studied. Overall, 23% of the traditional cohort as opposed to 10.3% of the innovative cohort dropped out of the course (P = 0.0041) and 55% of the traditional cohort as opposed to 67% of the innovative cohort graduated within the minimum period of 6 years (P < 0.001). The mean throughput period was 6.71 (0.09) years in the traditional cohort and 6.44 (0.07) years in the innovative cohort (P = 0.014)

Conclusion: The introduction of the problem-based learning/community-based education (PBL/CBE) curriculum coincided with improved academic performance. The PBL/CBE approach to medical education may have contributed to this improvement.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2005.02106.xDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

academic performance
12
traditional curriculum
12
traditional cohort
12
innovative cohort
12
students innovative
8
records students
8
cohort opposed
8
students
7
traditional
6
innovative
6

Similar Publications

Background: Recent years have witnessed a revolutionary transformation in information technology, characterized by the proliferation of electronic information platforms, with the Egyptian Knowledge Bank being a notable example. Understanding how to effectively navigate these complex systems requires investigation into key factors, particularly system intelligence.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of research motivation in the relationship between system intelligence, Academic Grit, and Academic Achievement.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Studies suggest that less than 4% of patients with pulmonary embolisms (PEs) are managed in the outpatient setting. Strong evidence and multiple guidelines support the use of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) for the identification of acute PE patients appropriate for outpatient management. However, calculating the PESI score can be inconvenient in a busy emergency department (ED).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Human organotypic colon in vitro microtissue: unveiling a new window into colonic drug disposition.

Eur J Pharm Sci

January 2025

Preclinical Sciences & Translational Safety, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium. Electronic address:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate EpiColon, a novel human organotypic 3D colon microtissue prototype, developed to assess colonic drug disposition, with a particular focus on permeability ranking, and compare its performance to Caco-2 monolayers. EpiColon was characterized for barrier function using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), morphology via histology and immunohistochemistry, and functionality through drug transport studies measuring apparent permeability (P). Cutoff thresholds for the permeability of FITC-dextran 4 kDa (FD4), FITC-dextran 10 kDa (FD10S), and [C]mannitol were established to monitor microtissue integrity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose-computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality in high-risk individuals. Evaluating and monitoring LCS programs are important to ensure and improve quality, efficiency and participant outcomes. There is no agreement on LCS quality indicators (QIs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Educational gaps between care leavers and their same-age peers not in care are well documented. However, little is known about gender disparities in educational outcomes between care leavers and their matched peers.

Objectives: To examine and predict secondary school educational attainments (EA) and enrollment in postsecondary education (PSE) by (1) study group: care leavers versus their matched peers, (2) gender: men versus women, (3) interaction between study group and gender.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!