Chatchai Kreepala . The comparison between problem based learning and early clinical exposure on the readiness of medical students for clinical study the students' perspective. Master's Degree(Health Science Education). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2021.
The comparison between problem based learning and early clinical exposure on the readiness of medical students for clinical study the students' perspective
Abstract:
Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) are the clinical skill learning methods that are used to provide the knowledge and practical skills for the medical students prior to the clinical phase exposure. The authors were interested in exploring and comparing the aspects of the students' perspective in order to improve the effectiveness of learning. The study included the medical students in Srinakharinwirot University, which consists of two different preclinical programs (PBL vs. ECE). At the end of the first clinical year, they were asked to do the questionnaires and the interviews to explore the prospective about the current PBL and ECE learning modules. The results from 164 participants (89.1% of the entire class) were analyzed by the quantitative and sequential qualitative mixed method. The data indicated that the current PBL and ECE could increase the preparedness for adaptation and the confidence of working in clinical environment. However, the students mainly from the ECE program stated that the PBL learning involved interdisciplinary approach helped them adapt with the clinical environment better when compared to the PBL class that solely consisted of only the medical students (p = 0.04). In addition, the qualitative data revealed that the obstacles in PBL and ECE learning were the lack of the ability to make the use of the information learned in the real-life clinical problems, the insufficient exposure of the clinical environment and the criticism from the clinicians. In conclusion, PBL and ECE are the learning methods that sufficiently prepared the students because they trained the student to have the clinical - approach thinking. However, the students pointed out that it would be better to use the common diseases in the clinical practice. Early exposure to medical skills in the hospital environment and the pressure-free learning atmosphere would also play an important role in making a successful learning course.