title: Student evaluation of a problem-oriented module of clinical medicine within a revised dental curriculum.
abstract: As part of a revised dental curriculum, a 3(rd) year module on medical subjects was developed based on a mixture of self-study and problem-oriented approach using cases. Pairs of students had to select a specific medical problem and solve a paper patient case using a problem-solving cycle. Results were presented in working groups and by writing an essay. The quality of the presentations was assessed by colleague students and by the teacher supervisor; the expert teacher in the field graded the essay. The results contributed for 40% to the overall grade of the module. A questionnaire filled out by 94% of the participating students showed that 85% of the students agreed in preferring this way of handling medical problems as compared with conventional, lecture-based education. Almost all of them enjoyed the provided opportunity to give a case presentation. The problem-oriented model was assessed as useful by 73% of the students. Knowledge concerning the topic chosen turned out to be higher than knowledge of other topics. Although this study cannot prove that this mode of education actually results in a better ability to cope with medical problems, it may contribute in several ways to the final competences in the area of general medicine in the undergraduate dental curriculum.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Dental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.tack@aig.umcn.nl
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: A J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Plasschaert
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires