Problem Based Learning: A Review of Experiences of Medical Students

Abstract

The constructs for teaching Problem Based Learning are very different from traditional classroom or lecture teaching and often requires more preparation time and resources to support small group learning. This review is to assess the experiences of medical students about Problem Based Learning. This review is also to explore the experiences of medical students regarding their concerns and challenges about Problem Based Learning; assess medical students' perceived advantages and disadvantages about Problem Based Learning and explore medical students' knowledge and skills gained through Problem Based Learning. A thorough search of peer reviewed and grey literature from 1987 to 2016 yielded 76 publications that were synthesised and analysed. This review found out that Problem Based Learning could develop the flexible knowledge base of medical students; develop medical students' effective problem solving skills; develop medical students' self-directed lifelong learning skills. This review therefore concludes that the Problem Based Learning curriculum appears to be more effective in teaching medical courses as compared to other experiential approaches. More research is needed to identify more effective and efficient ways of improving the teaching of Problem Based Learning in Medical Schools.