Effectiveness of case scenario-based learning over didactic lectures on teaching pediatric infectious diseases to undergraduate medical students

Abstract

Background: Case scenario based learning offers an interactive approach in medical education. It can be either as case based or problem based. objectives of This study compared the effectiveness of Case scenario based learning (CBL) over didactic lectures (DL) among final year part II M.B.B.S students. It also compared the student’s perception between the two methods.Methods: This interventional study was done in the Department of Pediatrics, Al- Azhar Medical College, Kerala for a period of two months. The participants(n=120) were divided into two groups- A and B who had respectively attended three sessions of CBL and DL on Pediatric infectious diseases. A test was conducted at the end of each session and after 2 weeks in the form of SAQs. A questionnaire was given to the participants about their perception. The data was analysed in SPSS 16 using unpaired t test and Mann- Whitney U test.Results: The mean exam scores for immediate tests were 26.04±1.9 and 19.47±2.8 for Batch A and Batch B respectively. The mean exam scores for the test conducted after two weeks showed significant result with 24.0±2.56 and 18.58±4.03 for Batch A and B respectively. Comparison of student’s perception on Likert’s scale about the teaching method yielded significant difference for CBL over DL with p<0.001.Conclusions: Case scenario based learning is an innovative method which is sure to invoke more interest and academic excellence in medical students.