Role of problem-based learning in undergraduate dental education: a questionnaire-based study

Figures & data

Table 1 Students’ responses to PBL questionnaire

Questionnaire related to PBL	Students’ responses (yes), n (%)
	First year (n=61)	Second year (n=59)	Third year (n=60)	Fourth year (n=58)
Is PBL strategy interesting?	21 (34.4)	29 (49.1)	36 (60)	40 (68.9)
Was proper training of PBL given before its implementation?	30 (49.1)	32 (54.2)	38 (63.3)	41 (70.7)
In PBL, is knowledge organized around problems rather than disciplines?	27 (44.3)	33 (55.9)	38 (63.3)	41 (70.7)
Does PBL help students assume responsibility for their own learning?	11 (18)	15 (25.4)	28 (46.7)	39 (67.2)
Does PBL make students active processors of information?	12 (16.7)	18 (30.5)	25 (41.7)	33 (56.9)
Does PBL help students elaborate and organize their knowledge?	22 (36.1)	31 (52.5)	39 (65)	41 (70.7)
Is PBL lecture-based hybrid system better than entire lecture-based curriculum?	28 (45.9)	34 (57.6)	40 (66.7)	46 (79.3)
Does PBL enhance the ability to find information using the Internet/library?	30 (49.1)	37 (62.7)	41 (68.3)	44 (78.9)
Is the role of facilitator in the process of PBL helpful?	25 (40.9)	33 (55.9)	38 (63.3)	46 (79.3)
Does PBL improve the decision-making skills?	22 (36.1)	37 (62.7)	40 (66.7)	42 (72.4)

Abbreviation: PBL, problem-based learning.

Table 2 Group mean differences (95% CI) toward the perception of PBL among the study groups

Group comparisons	Group mean difference (%)	95% CI of group mean difference	P-value
Is PBL strategy interesting?
First year vs second year	34.4 to 49.1=−14.7	−16.4 to −5.5	P>0.05
First year vs third year	34.4 to 60=−25.6	−31.2 to −20.4	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	34.4 to 68.9=−34.5	−40.1 to −28.4	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	49.1 to 60=−10.9	−15.5 to −6.6	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	49.1 to 68.9=−19.8	−22.4 to −15.5	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	60 to 68.9=−8.9	−12.5 to −5.6	P>0.05
Was proper training of PBL given before its implementation?
First year vs second year	49.1 to 54.2=−5.1	−8.6 to −3.4	P>0.05
First year vs third year	49.1 to 63.3=−14.2	−19.4 to −10.5	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	49.1 to 70.7=−21.6	−23.5 to −18.5	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	54.2 to 63.3=−9.1	−12.5 to −7.4	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	54.2 to 70.7=−16.5	−19.5 to −11.2	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	63.3 to 70.7=−7.4	−10.1 to −5.8	P>0.05
In PBL, is knowledge organized around problems rather than disciplines?
First year vs second year	44.3 to 55.9=−11.6	−14.6 to −8.8	P>0.05
First year vs third year	44.3 to 63.3=−19	−21.6 to −10.7	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	44.3 to 70.7=−26.4	−30.4 to −19.5	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	55.9 to 63.3=−7.4	−11.9 to −6.7	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	55.9 to 70.7=−14.8	−20.5 to −9.6	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	63.3 to 70.7=−7.4	−10.8 to −5.1	P>0.05
Does PBL help students assume responsibility for their own learning?
First year vs second year	18 to 25.4=−7.4	−11.1 to −4.7	P>0.05
First year vs third year	18 to 46.7=−28.7	−36.5 to −19.4	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	18 to 67.2=−49.2	−56.5 to −39.6	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	25.4 to 46.7=−21.3	−26.7 to −16.2	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	25.4 to 67.2=−41.8	−52.5 to −35.8	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	46.7 to 67.2=−20.5	−30.8 to −17.3	P>0.05
Does PBL make students active processors of information?
First year vs second year	16.7 to 30.5=−13.8	−16.4 to −8.4	P>0.05
First year vs third year	16.7 to 41.7=−25	−30.5 to −17.4	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	16.7 to 56.9=−40.2	−44.6 to −29.7	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	30.5 to 41.7=−11.2	−18.6 to −8.2	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	30.5 to 56.9=−26.4	−31.6 to −18.2	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	41.7 to 56.9=−15.2	−17.6 to −10.7	P>0.05
Does PBL help students elaborate and organize their knowledge?
First year vs second year	36.1 to 52.5=−16.4	−21.4 to −11.6	P>0.05
First year vs third year	36.1 to 65=−28.9	−32.7 to −18.2	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	36.1 to 70.7=−34.6	−45.2 to −27.9	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	52.5 to 65=−12.5	14.9 to 27.3	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	52.5 to 70.7=−18.2	−16.3 to −9.8	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	65 to 70.7=−5.7	−6.7 to −4.6	P>0.05
Is the PBL lecture-based hybrid system better than the entire lecture-based curriculum?
First year vs second year	45.9 to 57.6=−11.7	−20.5 to −7.4	P>0.05
First year vs third year	45.9 to 66.7=−20.8	−30.6 to −15.8	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	45.9 to 79.3=−33.4	−45.2 to −27.4	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	57.6 to 66.7=−9.1	−13.6 to −6.8	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	57.6 to 79.3=−21.7	−29.3 to −17.4	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	66.7 to 79.3=−12.6	−20.6 to −9.1	P>0.05
Does PBL enhance the ability to find information using the Internet/library?
First year vs second year	49.1 to 62.7=−13.6	−20.6 to −10.2	P>0.05
First year vs third year	49.1 to 68.3=−9.2	−16.3 to −4.8	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	49.1 to 78.9=−29.8	−32.7 to −16.5	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	62.7 to 68.3=−5.6	−8.8 to −3.7	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	62.7 to 78.9=−16.2	−19.6 to −7.4	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	68.3 to 78.9=−10.6	−14.6 to −5.5	P>0.05
Is the role of the facilitator in the process of PBL helpful?
First year vs second year	40.9 to 55.9=−15	−21.4 to −9.3	P>0.05
First year vs third year	40.9 to 63.3=−10.3	−15.4 to −7.6	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	40.9 to 79.3=−26.3	−33.4 to −21.7	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	55.9 to 63.3=−7.4	−13.5 to −5.8	P>0.05
Second year vs fourth year	55.9 to 79.3=−23.4	−30.8 to −19.5	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	63.3 to 79.3=−16	−21.5 to −12.3	P>0.05
Does PBL improve decision-making skills?
First year vs second year	36.1 to 62.7=−26.6	−32.6 to −14.8	P>0.05
First year vs third year	36.1 to 66.7=−30.6	−39.5 to −26.2	P>0.05
First year vs fourth year	36.1 to 72.4=−36.3	−45.1 to −28.6	P>0.05
Second year vs third year	62.7 to 66.7=−4	−7.2 to −3.3	P<0.05
Second year vs fourth year	62.7 to 72.4=−9.7	−13.6 to −5.4	P>0.05
Third year vs fourth year	66.7 to 72.4=−5.7	−7.4 to −2.2	P>0.05

Abbreviation: PBL, problem-based learning.