Students` Perception of Their Engagement and Problem-Solving Skills Using Team-Based Learning at Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, Karachi

Abstract

Background: Team-based learning is a relatively new or most recent teaching strategy that has been adopted in medical schools. This study evaluated students’ perception of critical thinking, and problem-solving skills using Team-Based Learning (TBL) as a strategic tool. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study using convenient sampling among 300 first, second, and third-year MBBS students was conducted. A total of 6 TBLs were held for each MBBS class and 18 TBLs were held in all three years from February to October 2023 at Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College (FRPMC), Karachi. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to evaluate the students' perception and problem-solving abilities. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS ver.25. A pilot study was done on 55 participants and Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. Results: A total of 269 out of 300(89.6%) students responded that the pre-reading material given was appropriate for the TBL session. Similarly, 268(89%) students agreed that the TBL's learning objectives were in line with the lectures. Students' engagement 237(79%) was higher when compared with problem-solving skills 216(72%) as attained through TBL. Students' overall opinions were rated above 75% for the category of agree and strongly agree on the rating scale with a mean score of 3.96 out of 5 for all claims. The Cronbach Alpha for the pilot study was 0.909. Conclusion: There was an overall positive perception of medical students for all attributes of TBL indicating that student engagement was more successfully identified than problem-solving abilities. Keywords: Educational Techniques, Learning, Problem-Based Learning.

Keywords

• Educational Techniques
• Learning
• Problem-Based Learning.