Learning effectiveness and satisfaction of international medical students: Introducing a Hybrid–PBL curriculum in biochemistry

Abstract

A biochemistry course is a fundamental but important subject in medical education in China. In recent years, the number of international medical students has increased. Curriculum reform in biochemistry teaching is needed because of the knowledge limitations of students, a close linkage of biochemical content with clinics, the shortcomings of lecture-centered teaching, and the requirements for early clinical practice training and competence. In this study, we analyzed a novel curriculum reform, "Hybrid-PBL," which combined problem-based learning (PBL) with biochemistry lectures and was implemented for biochemical teaching at Dalian Medical University (DMU) in China. The change in curriculum affected 189 international medical students. This study selected two PBL cases concerning the basic biochemical issues of carbohydrate metabolism and liver biochemistry for the analysis, and ten examples of learning issues for each case were reported by the international students. A questionnaire was utilized to evaluate students' perceptions of the Hybrid-PBL, and examination scores were analyzed to assess the curriculum reform in biochemistry teaching. A statistical analysis revealed that the Hybrid-PBL curriculum was well accepted by the international students as an effective supplement to lecture-centered teaching programs. The students obtained more abilities, higher examination scores, and an improved understanding of biomedical information from the Hybrid-PBL program than from conventional teaching methods. Our study was an innovative trial that applied a PBL curriculum to the specific discipline of biochemistry and may provide a potential and promising new teaching method that can be widely utilized. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(4):336-342, 2017.

Current status of international medical education in China: A cross-sectional study

“…Yan et al used a questionnaire to evaluate students' perceptions of the Hybrid-PBL, which combines PBL with biochemistry lectures, and they found that the Hybrid-PBL curriculum was well accepted by the international students and could improve their understanding of biomedical concepts. 16 In a survey of medical students in Karachi, the students reported that PBL had helped them in developing their communication skills, their interpersonal relationships, and their problem-solving abilities. 17 In another study done at Shifa Medical College, Islamabad, 67% of the students reported a desire for a mix of both lectures and small-group learning (PBL).…”

Saúde Mental de Alunos de Medicina Submetidos à Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas: Revisão Sistemática da Literatura

“…Yan et al 18 Os estudantes tiveram contato com a ABP em apenas um módulo, e a maioria concordou que o método proporcionou maior satisfação, visto que permitiu o desenvolvimento de algumas habilidades autodirecionadas, bem como a possibilidade de lidar melhor com o estresse.…”

Update on research and application of problem‐based learning in medical science education

“…We also find the influences of PBL on school curricula and curricular strength. Yan introduced PBL into an international biochemistry course, where it was widely accepted by the students, suggesting that it might be an important supplement to traditional pedagogy . A five‐year retrospective study found that the PBL curriculum at Saga Medical School greatly improved its overall strength .…”