Problem Based Learning from Students’ Perspectives in University of Kerbala, College of Medicine

Abstract

background: Most higher education institutions throughout the world are searching for teaching and learning methods that will both engage students more actively in their learning and contribute to a deeper understanding of the content. In Iraq where tertiary education is expanding and many medical colleges had adapted Problem Based Learning (PBL) incorporated curricula. As a new experience, there was a need to explore the views and perspectives of the direct beneficiaries in this learning system, the students. Subjects and methods: A qualitative study was performed to explore medical students' perceptions and attitudes regarding the change in undergraduate medical education that took place at the college of medicine, University of Kerbala. One hundred twenty second-year students participated in this study. Student answers were analyzed using SWOT analysis technique.Results and discussion: The majority of the participants showed positive attitude and evaluation of the newly adopted system. The results suggest that the students face difficulty in bridging the gap between the theoretical and practical phase of the curriculum, some shortcomings due to the need for better logistic support and tutor training.The study explored students opinions in six disciplines: lectures, relevance of finding objectives by the students, PBL system implementation, PBL session implementation, team work and tension problems, tutor efficiency, as well as additional students’ suggestions.Conclusions and recommendations: The students have perceived PBL approach, recently adopted by Kerbala medical College (KMC) consistently in a positive manner. The main reported shortcomings were related to the application rather than the concept which need further staff training and follow up.