Problem Based Learning in Basic Medical Science Training for 200 Level Physiotherapy Students: Students' Assessment in the First Year

Abstract

Background: Problem Based leammg (PBL) is increasingly becoming popular worldwide. The Department ofAnatomy at the College of Medicine University of Lagos recently introduced the problem based learning approach as the style of teaching physiotherapy students in their basic medical science year. Objective: This survey investigated the students' view of the programme, its impact on their learning as well as constraining factors. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted at the end of the basic science academic year. The sample was the whole of a group of physiotherapy student that went through the PBL programme of the Department for one year. Results were collated and data processed using computer Microsoft excel in windows office 2003 software. Results: Astatistically significantproportion ofthe group rated the programme favorably and indicated it was of benefit to their learning experience. Identified areas oftheir learning positively impacted on include; increase in amount of knowledge (81 %), better levels of interaction among colleagues (69%), improved literary research and problem solving skills (72%), higher level of confidence (81 %) and an increased eagerness for clinical school (95%). Conclusion: Problem Based Learning programme can be beneficial to pioneer physiotherapy students in basic medical science year even when it is administered newly by a Department that is still developing in the programme. Key Words: Problem Based Learning, Physiotherapy Students, Anatomy.