Students' perception towards the problem based learning tutorial session in a system-based hybrid curriculum.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate students' perception towards the problem based learning (PBL) session in a system-based hybrid curriculum.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study in the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia at the end of the 2012-2013 academic year. The survey questionnaire was self-administered, and examined perceptions of PBL session benefits, appropriate running of sessions, and tutor's roles.


RESULTS
Out of 510 students, 275 (53.9%) completed the questionnaire. Most of the students reported that PBL sessions were helpful in understanding basic sciences concepts (p=0.04). In addition, they agreed that PBL sessions increased their knowledge of basic sciences (p=0.01). Most students reported that PBL sessions encouraged self-directed learning, collaborative learning, and improved decision making skills. However, 54.5% of students reported lack of proper training before starting the PBL sessions, and only 25.1% of students agreed that the teaching staff are well prepared to run the sessions. Most students used the internet (93.1%), lecture notes (76.7%), and books (64.4%) as learning resources. Most students reported repetition of topics between PBL sessions and lectures (p=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
The study highlighted the significant role of PBL in a system-based hybrid curriculum and helped students improve their knowledge and different learning skills. Students and staff training is required before the utilizing the PBL as an instructional method.
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 230155, Riyadh 11321, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. adrees@ksu.edu.sa.
Abdulmajeed A
AA
Al-Drees
Mahmoud S
MS
Khalil
Mohammad
M
Irshad
Hamza M
HM
Abdulghani
D001290:Attitude; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires