title: Evaluating differently tutored groups in problem-based learning in a German dental curriculum: a mixed methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is still unclear to what extent the PBL tutor affects learning in PBL-sessions. This mixed-methods study (Part 1 and 2) evaluated the effects of facilitative (f) versus non-facilitative (nf) tutoring roles on knowledge-gain and group functioning in the field of endodontics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Part 1 was a quantitative assessment of tutor effectiveness within a prospective, experimental, single-blind, stratified, randomized, two-group intervention study. Participants attended PBL in the context of a hybrid curriculum. A validated questionnaire was used and knowledge assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. External observers rated tutor performance. Part 2 was a qualitative assessment of tutor effectiveness and consisted of semi-structured expert interviews with tutors and focus group discussions with students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Part 1: f tutors obtained significantly higher scores than nf tutors with respect to learning motivation and tutor effectiveness (p ≤ 0.05). nf tuition resulted in a slightly larger knowledge gain (p = 0.08). External observers documented a significantly higher activity among facilitative tutors compared to non-facilitative tutors. Part 2: Tutors found the f role easier although this led to a less autonomous working climate. The students rated f tutoring as positive in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With respect to PBL-group performance, students felt that groups guided in a non-facilitative fashion exhibited a higher level of independence and autonomy, especially with increasing PBL experience. In addition, students reported that more preparation was necessary for sessions guided by a non-facilitative tutor. Tutors were able to modify their role and influence group processes in a controlled manner. Results are useful for future "Train-the-Teacher" sessions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum), Medical Faculty, Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 29, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. s.szep@em.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerhardt-Szep
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Bergerstraße 159, 60385, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. F.Kunkel@Dentaloft.de.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.affiliation: Competence Center for Assessment in Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 346, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. andreas.moeltner@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moeltner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Interdisziplinäres Kolleg Hochschuldidaktik (IKH), Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Senckenberganlage 15, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. hansen@paed.psych.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University in Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany. anja.boeckers@uni-ulm.de.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böckers
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum), Medical Faculty, Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 29, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. ruettermann@med.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rüttermann
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Institute of Dermatology, Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 28, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Ochsendorf@em.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ochsendorf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult