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Some reflections on problem-based learning medical curriculum

Authors D'Ottavio AE 

Received 7 May 2018

Accepted for publication 12 May 2018

Published 29 June 2018 Volume 2018:9 Pages 505—506

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S173337

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Editor who approved publication: Dr Md Anwarul Azim Majumder



Alberto Enrique D’Ottavio

Rosario Medical School and Research Council, Rosario National University, Rosario, República Argentina
 
Given the promising results reported by Yadav et al,1 it seems timely to make some reflections, related to this article, for contributing to improving the hybrid problembased learning (PBL) curriculum carried out in our medical school, and in another ones where this kind of curriculum is being implemented.In this regard, some facts for a better implementation may be considered. One of these lies in the belief that it is feasible to provide formative quality to medical students, with the number of entrants exceeding 350 per year and a teacher–student ratio near to 1:20. Furthermore, this landscape is likely to get darker provided students do not take a prior compensating course addressed to cope with their high school deficiencies, and hence acquiring basic content to learn the subsequent content, and facilitating a faster adaptation to a different learning strategy. In this context, it becomes clear that some basic conditions for a right PBL curriculum implementation may not have been completely satisfied.2 Other facts may be related with the implementation itself. For instance, (a) the lack of a suitable number of qualified tutors for carrying out one of the key activities of the SPICES model;3 (b) the limited number of professional teachers in respect to those with an unsuitable background; (c) the unfeasible integration of contents that, despite being attempted, collides with a significant number of students lacking fully developed abstract logical thinking;4 and (d) a pursued interdisciplinarity without prior and necessary disciplinary support. Facing these challenges is essential for student benefit and a correct curriculum implementation.
 
View the original paper by Yadav et al.

 

Dear editor

Given the promising results reported by Yadav et al,1 it seems timely to make some reflections, related to this article, for contributing to improving the hybrid problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum carried out in our medical school, and in another ones where this kind of curriculum is being implemented.

In this regard, some facts for a better implementation may be considered. One of these lies in the belief that it is feasible to provide formative quality to medical students, with the number of entrants exceeding 350 per year and a teacher–student ratio near to 1:20. Furthermore, this landscape is likely to get darker provided students do not take a prior compensating course addressed to cope with their high school deficiencies, and hence acquiring basic content to learn the subsequent content, and facilitating a faster adaptation to a different learning strategy. In this context, it becomes clear that some basic conditions for a right PBL curriculum implementation may not have been completely satisfied.2

Other facts may be related with the implementation itself. For instance, (a) the lack of a suitable number of qualified tutors for carrying out one of the key activities of the SPICES model;3 (b) the limited number of professional teachers in respect to those with an unsuitable background; (c) the unfeasible integration of contents that, despite being attempted, collides with a significant number of students lacking fully developed abstract logical thinking;4 and (d) a pursued interdisciplinarity without prior and necessary disciplinary support.

Facing these challenges is essential for student benefit and a correct curriculum implementation.

Disclosure

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this communication.

References

1.

Yadav RM, Piryani RM, Deo GP, Sha DK, Yadav LK, Islam MN. Attitude and perception of undergraduate medical students toward the problem-based learning in Chitwan Medical College, Nepal. Adv Med Educ Prac. 2018;9:317–322

2.

Carrera LI, Tellez TE, D’Ottavio AE. Implementing a problem-based learning curriculum in an Argentinean medical school: implications for developing countries. Acad Med. 2003;78:1–4.

3.

Harden RM, Sowden S, Dunn WR. Educational strategies in curriculum development: the SPICES model. Med Educ. 1984;18:284–297.

4.

Bird L. Logical reasoning ability and student performance in General Chemistry. J Chem Educ. 2010;87:541–546.

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