TY - JOUR
T1 - Problem-based versus conventional curricula
T2 - Influence on knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards health research
AU - Khan, Hassan
AU - Taqui, Ather M.
AU - Khawaja, Muhammad Rizwanulhaq
AU - Fatmi, Zafar
PY - 2007/7/18
Y1 - 2007/7/18
N2 - Background. Medical education curricula in developing countries should emphasize training in health research, This study compares the knowledge and attitudes towards health research between undergraduate medical students undertaking Problem Based Learning (PBL) versus conventional Lecture Based Learninq (LBL). Methods. Two groups comprising 66 (LBL) and 84 (PBL) 4th and 5th year students from the medical college of Aga Khan University were administered, a structured and validated questionnaire. Knowledge and attitudes of the two groups were admistered on a scale (graduated in percentages) and compared for statistical difference. Results. PBL students scored 54.0% while LBL students scored 55.5% on the knowledge scale [p-value; 0.63%]. On the attitudes scale, PBL students scored 75.5% against a 66.7% score of LBL students [p-value 0.021]. A hiqher proportion of PBL students (89%) had participated in research activities compared to LBL students (74%) and thus felt more confident in conducting research and writing a scientific paper. Conclusion. The PBL students showed slightly healthier attitudes towards health research compared to LBL students. Both groups demonstrated a similar level of knowledge about health research. The positive impact of the PBL curriculum on attitudes of medical students towards health research may help in improving research output from developing countries in future.
AB - Background. Medical education curricula in developing countries should emphasize training in health research, This study compares the knowledge and attitudes towards health research between undergraduate medical students undertaking Problem Based Learning (PBL) versus conventional Lecture Based Learninq (LBL). Methods. Two groups comprising 66 (LBL) and 84 (PBL) 4th and 5th year students from the medical college of Aga Khan University were administered, a structured and validated questionnaire. Knowledge and attitudes of the two groups were admistered on a scale (graduated in percentages) and compared for statistical difference. Results. PBL students scored 54.0% while LBL students scored 55.5% on the knowledge scale [p-value; 0.63%]. On the attitudes scale, PBL students scored 75.5% against a 66.7% score of LBL students [p-value 0.021]. A hiqher proportion of PBL students (89%) had participated in research activities compared to LBL students (74%) and thus felt more confident in conducting research and writing a scientific paper. Conclusion. The PBL students showed slightly healthier attitudes towards health research compared to LBL students. Both groups demonstrated a similar level of knowledge about health research. The positive impact of the PBL curriculum on attitudes of medical students towards health research may help in improving research output from developing countries in future.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0000632
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0000632
M3 - Article
C2 - 17637847
AN - SCOPUS:39549120404
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 2
JO - PloS one
JF - PloS one
IS - 7
M1 - e632
ER -