Objective: To show the efficacy of Problem Based Learning (PBL) in improving the academic performance of students.
Methodology: This is a retrospective analytical study in which the examination results of 92 students of Rehman Medical College (RMC) were compared with 266 students of Khyber Medical College (KMC), over a three-year period. These students had the same date of high school graduation. RMC has adopted PBL along with the traditional lecture based approach. KMC on the other hand, follows only the lecture based learning approach. The batch/class selected gave its medical entry test examination in 2014, first professional examination in 2015 and second professional examination in 2016. The same bodies took these exams, for the students of both colleges hence, the studentsÂ’ performance was comparable.
Results: The study revealed a drastic improvement in the performance of students of RMC, with a pass rate of 20% in entry test examination, which progressed to a pass rate of 78% in second professional examination. Whereas, the scores of KMC students, who were the highest scorers in entry test exam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a pass rate of 96%, dropped over this time period to about 78% in second professional examination.
Conclusion: PBL should be implemented in Khyber Medical College along with the lecture based learning approach in order for the students to develop acumen for integrated learning. This will not only improve their scores but will also make them better health care providers.
Key words: Problem based learning, lecture based learning, medical undergraduate.
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