Effect of digital problem-based learning cases on student learning outcomes in ophthalmology courses.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of digital problem-based learning (PBL) cases on student learning in ophthalmology courses. METHODS: Ninety students were randomly divided into 3 classes (30 students per class). The first class studied under a didactic model. The other 2 classes were divided into 6 groups (10 students per group) and received PBL teaching; 3 groups studied via cases presented in digital form and the others studied via paper-form cases. The results of theoretical and case analysis examinations were analyzed using the chi(2) test. Student performance on the interval practice was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Questionnaires were used to evaluate student and facilitator perceptions. RESULTS: Students in the digital groups exhibited better performance in the practice procedures according to tutorial evaluations compared with the other groups (P < .05). The 2 PBL classes had significantly higher mean results of theoretical and case analysis examinations (P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 PBL classes. Ninety-three percent of students in the digital groups (vs 73% in the paper groups) noted that the cases greatly stimulated their interest. CONCLUSIONS: Introducing PBL into ophthalmology could improve educational quality and effectiveness. Digital PBL cases stimulate interest and motivate students to further improve diagnosis and problem-handling skills.

Author information

Author/s: Kong, Jun (J); Li, Xiaoyan (X); Wang, Youdong (Y); Sun, Wei (W); Zhang, Jinsong (J);

Affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Heping District, Shenyang City 110005, China.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Archives of ophthalmology (Arch Ophthalmol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 127 (issue 9) : pp 1211-4

Dates: Created 2009/09/15; Completed 2009/09/28;

PMID: 19752434, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/28/2009, IMS Date: )

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