Background and objectiveEmploying the POPBL (Patient-Oriented Problem-Based Learning) method to teach students offers a fresh take on the classroom experience. It helps to enhance the motivation of the students, improves knowledge, self-learning behavior, and clinical reasoning, and also helps to promote long-lasting memory. In our medical college, we adopted a newer technology-oriented method with the use of case history, laboratory findings, a gross specimen of the same case, microscopic live sessions via Deca and Penta head microscopes, television, and microscopic camera. In light of this, in this study, we aimed to develop a patient-and technology-oriented new Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method and compare its effectiveness with the traditional tutorial method.
Materials and methodsA total of 149 second-year MBBS students were enrolled in the study. Consent was taken from all students. A total of eight systems of systemic pathology from the second-year MBBS curriculum were selected. Of the eight systems, four were covered under POPBL with gross and microscopic features associated with the help of newer-generation audiovisual aids, and the other four systems were covered under the traditional tutorial/lecture method. The evaluation was performed using prevalidated objective types of questions after exposure of about one week. The objective was to evaluate and compare the outcomes and students' performance between these two sets of pathology systems.
ResultsStudents gave excellent responses. Performance (87.92% of students had scores >75%) and attendance (94.14%) parameters with respect to POPBL gross and microscopic features associated with the help of newer-generation audiovisual aids like Deca and Penta head microscopes were superior compared to the traditional tutorial/lecture method, where 53.02% of students scored more than 75% and the attendance was 76.12%. The difference in attendance was also statistically significant (p=0.05).
ConclusionUsing POPBL instead of standard tutorial/lecture methods leads to better outcomes. Students also found POPBL more appealing than standard lectures. It is a student-centered method that provides a significant level of motivation and encourages active participation among students. The efficacy of this new way of teaching and demonstrating will attract more students to this method.
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a frequently encountered problem for which women used to have gynecological consultation. Endometrial aspiration cytology (EAC) is an acceptable and valuable diagnostic procedure for screening the endometrial status. The study was conducted to evaluate the utility of EAC in women with AUB, and to compare cytological findings were compared with the histopathological findings. Cross-sectional cohort study done at different districts of Gujarat from October 2011 to June 2021. A total of 1405 patients presenting with AUB were subjected to EAC using a 4?mm Karman’s cannula. We have also performed endometrial dilation and curettage. The cytology smears were prepared and evaluated for various cytomorphological features. The cytological diagnoses made were compared with the histopathological diagnosis to obtain sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of EAC. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS (Statistical package for the Social Sciences v15.0) and Microsoft Excel 2007 software. EAC showed a sample adequacy of 96.65% in relation to 98.15% for histopathology. EAC showed a sensitivity of 98% and 100% for diagnosing benign and malignant conditions, respectively. There was a good correlation between cytological and histopathological diagnosis (κ = 0.643). EAC is a cost effective and least invasive procedure for the primary investigation & work up of women with AUB.
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