title: Comparison of tutored group with tutorless group in problem-based mixed learning sessions: a randomized cross-matched study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Problem-based learning (PBL) involves discussions among students who resolve loosely-structured problems to facilitate learning. In the PBL curriculum, faculty tutors are employed as facilitators for small groups of students. Because of lack of time and staff shortage, the effectiveness of tutorless PBL has been discussed as an alternate option.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sessions in which tutored and tutorless PBL groups are mixed were presented by 1st-year medical students, who experienced both tutored and tutorless groups alternately in the two sessions of a year. To examine the effectiveness of tutored and tutorless PBL, written examination scores (WES) and self-contentment scores (SCS) were statistically analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WES averages did not significantly differ between the tutored and tutorless groups; however, a significantly greater variation was observed in WES in the tutorless group. SCS averages tended to be higher in the tutored PBL than in tutorless PBL groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students in these tutorless PBL groups performed well in their written examinations, whereas those in the tutored PBL groups, achieved this and reported better self-contentment with their learning experience. Tutorless PBL sessions were considered to be comparable to tutored PBL sessions at least in the early stages.
authors.affiliation: Medical Education Center, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan. sho5-884@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsunekawa
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukuzawa
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*