Problem-based learning in an undergraduate medical school course on anesthesiology, recovery care, and pain management

• Published in: Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación Vol. 53; no. 7; p. 419
• Main Authors: Lucas, M, García Guasch, R, Moret, E, Llasera, R, Melero, A, Canet, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-08-2006
• Subjects: Adult; Anesthesia Recovery Period; Anesthesiology - education; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Pain Management; Problem-Based Learning; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0034-9356

We describe our experience with problem-based learning (PBL) in an undergraduate course in anesthesiology and recovery care.
The study was carried out over 5 consecutive academic years from 2000 through 2005. In total, 168 students took part. PBL was started in seminars in the first 3 years the course was given. In the last 2 years, PBL was used throughout the entire course, which consisted of 12 seminars. At the end, each student evaluated the activities overall, the tutor's intervention, the student's own participation, and the time invested in searching for information and preparing for discussions.
In the first 3 years, most students considered they had better assimilated the knowledge presented and that they had participated more. In the last 2 years, assessment of the course overall reached a score of 8.47 (SD, 1.24); of the instructor, 8.84 (0.98); and of student participation, 7.38 (1.29). The students used 2.11 (1.43) hours to search for information and 1.74 (1.14) hours to prepare for discussion.
The medical students' level of satisfaction with and acceptance of PBL in this anesthesiology course were high. The instructor's intervention and student participation were assessed highly. A large amount of time was used for study.