Comparison of case-based learning with didactic lectures in undergraduate physiology curriculum

ABSTRACT

Background: Conventionally, teaching in the subject of physiology is undertaken with the help of didactic lectures, practical demonstrations, and tutorials. Case-based learning (CBL) is known to impart analytical and problem-solving skills in the students. CBL motivates students to apply clinical knowledge from real-life scenarios to solve problems. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of didactic lectures and CBL in physiology among 1st-year BDS students and to gauge their perception. Materials and Methods: After ethical approval, this study was conducted at physiology department PIMS Udaipur. After taking informed consent, two groups of 40 students were taught two different topics using CBL and didactic lectures with cross-over study design. Students’ learning was assessed by 20 pre-validated MCQs. Mean ± SD of the pre- and the post-test scores of the students was taken. The post-test scores of the students in both the groups were compared using Student’s t test. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Students’ perception was analyzed on Likert scale. Results: CBL was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01) in both the topics. MCQ scores of didactic lectures was 7.972 ± 1.765 and 7.667 ± 1.971 while that of CBL was 9.111 ± 2.081 and 9.222 ± 2.257 in anemia and jaundice, respectively. Students gave favorable and encouraging perception on CBL method. Conclusion: CBL was more effective than didactic lectures in teaching physiology to undergraduates. First-year BDS students found interactive case discussions more enjoyable and educationally stimulating than lectures. Students’ feedback indicated that CBL could be incorporated more in undergraduate physiology Curriculum.