Problem-based learning in dentistry and interfiled comparison: a citation analysis study

Aim ― This study was designed to analyze the citations of medical education to measure primarily the research trend of Problem-based learning in medical education and to compare them in the fields of dentistry with medicine, nursing and pharmacology. Material and Methods ― This study was a descriptive study using scientometrics and systematic review of citations. Electronic data bases Web of Science and PubMed were searched during the 2003-2013 for related article were extracted and critically appraised based on the level of education visualize the application of Problem-based learning in dentistry and pharmacology, nursing and medicine. We analyzed data using SPSS 18. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results ― Dentistry 64(8%) was ranked three followed by nursing. The dentistry was ranked in the third on sharing articles of implementing Problem based Learning in education. The year 2007 was the apex of dentistry’s scientific productions on Problem based learning. Among the countries, the USA was identified leading country .All of the four fields of pharmacology, medicine, nursing, dentistry Problem based learning was the most applied in lesson than other levels of education. A statistically significantly association was found between Impact Factor and the number of citations in published articles (p<0.001, rs=0.43) and geographic dispersion (according to continental distribution) and PBL applications field (P<0.001). Conclusion ― These findings indicate gap Problem-based learning in the fields of medical sciences and future studies need to establish differences other fields and suggest appropriate solutions to resolve the dispute.