Utilización del aprendizaje basado en problemas en la enseñanza de física en estudiantes de medicina: comparación con enseñanza tradicional / Problem based learning in physics: comparison with traditional teaching in medical students

Background: Problem based learning, integrating basic science with clinical problems, is one of the most recommended forms of teaching for medical schools. Aim: To compare a problem based learning program for physics with traditional teaching methods. Material and methods: In the physics course, first year medical students were separated in groups with traditional learning and problem based teaching. Both groups were subjected to the same knowledge and qualitative evaluations. Results: At the end of the course, cognitive performance in both groups was similar (60.8 and 61.3 percent among traditional teaching and problem based learning groups respectively). However, students assigned to the problem based learning group evaluated significantly better the teaching methodology and process. Conclusions: Physics education, using problem based learning, obtains the same cognitive results but a higher degree of satisfaction than traditional teaching among students

Evaluación de la aplicabilidad de un programa de educación médica a distancia / Assessment of the feasibility of a distance medical education program

To assess the feasibility of a distance medical education program prepared in a written format, 90 physicians aged 25 to 29 years old and with 1 to 4 years of medical practice, working mostly in rural locations, participed in the program. The sending of 10 ussues with medical topics was programmed. The topics were selected according to the results of an survey done among physicians of the region. Each issue contained an evaluation that had to be returned to the authors. Eigthy two physicians completed the program and 59 returned the evaluations. The mean obtained score in the cognitive evaluation was 80ñ6 points (range 68 to 97 points) of a scale from 0 to 100. The qualitative survey revealed a high degree of approval of the issue's format, contents and evaluation system. The favorable effect on patients' management and on the detection and control of chronic diseases was emphasized. This distance medical education program had a good receipt and compliance among physicians and contributed to continuing medical training