Students’ Rating on Effectiveness of Problem Based Learning and Skills Laboratory Training in the Phase I MBBS Program

Background: This study investigates medical students’ level of satisfaction with the effectiveness of PBL and Skills Lab training. It also seeks students’ opinions on the duration of the Phase I Programme and whether the pre and para clinical courses appropriately prepare them for ward-readiness. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 4th and 5th year medical students seeking the outcome of a PBL approach, effectiveness of Skill Lab Training and duration of the pre and para-clinical offered in phase I. The collected data was subjected to mean and standard deviation; and percentages were presented in graphs. Results: Our results on students’ ranking of the effectiveness of PBL reflect a below average rating. Students prefer skills training in both ward and laboratories rather than in skills laboratories only. The study also reveals that the majority of students prefer to have a 2-Year Phase I programme. Conclusion: Although PBL is a widely popular approach to teaching, our results show that it is always contextual. It is also observed that students prefer a blended form of skills training. Students’ preference of a 2 year Phase I Programme needs to be seriously considered with a paradigm shift from the present curriculum.