Outcome measurement of problem-based learning.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is a significant difference in the national certification examination scores, and in comments received from clinical faculty, between PBL and pre-PBL groups.


METHODS
Retrospective analyses of national certification examination scores and clinical faculty evaluation files.


METHODS
Medical technology students at the University of Hawaii.


METHODS
Means of a national certification examination scores of PBL and pre-PBL groups are statistically compared. Types of clinical faculty comments are rank-ordered and compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
PBL group did significantly better in the Urinalysis section of the national certification examination. Pre-PBL group received more "Quiet but got better" comments from clinical faculty.


CONCLUSIONS
PBL can affect student outcomes in both national certification exams and perception by clinical faculty.
Teshima
D Y
DY
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Division of Medical Technology, John A Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. dick@hawaii.edu
D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States