The effects of problem-based learning during medical school on physician competency: a systematic review
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews on the effects of problem-based learning have been limited to knowledge competency either during medical school or postgraduate training. We conducted a systematic review of evidence of the effects that problem-based learning during medical school had on physician competencies after graduation. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Databases, and the tables of contents of 5 major medical education journals from earliest available date through Oct. 31, 2006. We included studies in our review if they met the following criteria: problem-based learning was a teaching method in medical school, physician competencies were assessed after graduation and a control group of graduates of traditional curricula was used. We developed a scoring system to assess the quality of the studies, categorized competencies into 8 thematic dimensions and used a second system to determine the level of evidence for each competency assessed. RESULTS: Our search yielded 102 articles, of which 15 met inclusion criteria after full text review. Only 13 studies entered final systematic analysis because 2 studies reported their findings in 2 articles. According to self-assessments, 8 of 37 competencies had strong evidence in support of problem-based learning. Observed assessments had 7 competencies with strong evidence. In both groups, most of these competencies were in the social and cognitive dimensions. Only 4 competencies had moderate to strong levels of evidence in support of problem-based learning for both self-and observed assessments: coping with uncertainty (strong), appreciation of legal and ethical aspects of health care (strong), communication skills (moderate and strong respectively) and self-directed continuing learning (moderate). INTERPRETATION: Problem-based learning during medical school has positive effects on physician competency after graduation, mainly in social and cognitive dimensions.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Koh et al. analyzed the effect that PBL during medical school had on physician competencies after graduation, finding a positive effect mainly in social and cognitive dimensions.
“For this purpose, Koh et al. analyzed the effect that PBL during medical school had on physician competencies after graduation, finding a positive effect mainly in social and cognitive dimensions [138].”
From Effectiveness of problem-based learning methodology in undergraduate medical education: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [138]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Defining and Assessing Professional Competence
Epstein, R. M. (2002) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.287.2.226 · Cited by 3,114 · see citing works
Petersdorf, R. G. (1993) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-199301000-00012 · Cited by 2,503 · see citing works
Davis, D. A., Mazmanian, P. E., Fordis, M., Van Harrison, R., Thorpe, K. E., & Perrier, L. (2006) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.296.9.1094 · Cited by 2,375 · see citing works
Wood, D. F. (2003) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7384.328 · Cited by 2,140 · see citing works
Effects of problem-based learning: a meta-analysis
Dochy, F., Segers, M., Van den Bossche, P., & Gijbels, D. (2003) · Learning and Instruction · doi:10.1016/s0959-4752(02)00025-7 · Cited by 1,713 · see citing works
Does problem-based learning work? A meta-analysis of evaluative research
Vernon, D. T., & Blake, R. L. (1993) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-199307000-00015 · Cited by 1,456 · see citing works
Curriculum development for medical education a six-step approach
Thomas, P. A., Kern, D. E., Hughes, M. T., Tackett, S. A., & Chen, B. Y. (2022) · Cited by 1,244 · see citing works
Effectiveness of Problem-based Learning Curricula: Research and Theory
Colliver, J. A. (2000) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-200003000-00017 · Cited by 917 · see citing works
Comment: Educational research: The hardest science of all
Berliner, D. C. (2002) · Educational Researcher · doi:10.3102/0013189x031008018 · Cited by 772 · see citing works
Effectiveness of problem‐based learning curricula: theory, practice and paper darts
Norman, G. R., & Schmidt, H. G. (2000) · Medical Education · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.2000.00749.x · Cited by 712 · see citing works
Problem-based learning: have the expectations been met?
Berkson, L. (1993) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-199310000-00053 · Cited by 430 · see citing works
Maudsley, G. (1999) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-199902000-00016 · Cited by 367 · see citing works
Schmidt, H. G., Vermeulen, L., & van der Molen, H. T. (2006) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02483.x · Cited by 313 · see citing works
Problem based learning in continuing medical education: a review of controlled evaluation studies
Smits, P. B. A. (2002) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7330.153 · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Developments in outcome-based education
Harden, R. M. (2002) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.1080/01421590220120669 · Cited by 276 · see citing works
Curriculum development for medical education a six-step approach
Kern, D. E. (1998) · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Undergraduate medical education: comparison of problem-based learning and conventional teaching.
Nandi, P. L., Chan, J., Chan, C. P., Chan, P., & CHAN, L. P. (2000) · PubMed · Cited by 265 · see citing works
Effect of problem-based, self-directed undergraduate education on life-long learning.
(1993) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Comparing the effects of problem-based and conventional curricula in an international sample
Schmidt, H. G., Dauphinée, W. D., & Patel, V. L. (1987) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-198704000-00002 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
RCT = results confounded and trivial: the perils of grand educational experiments
Norman, G. R. (2003) · Medical Education · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.2003.01586.x · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Innovation in Medical Education: An Evaluation of Its Present Status
Korenman, S. G. (1991) · Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges · doi:10.1097/00001888-199109000-00004 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Not knowing that they do not know: self‐assessment accuracy of third‐year medical students
Langendyk, V. (2006) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2005.02372.x · Cited by 184 · see citing works
(2003) · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Hoffman, K., Hosokawa, M., Blake, R., Headrick, L., & Johnson, G. (2006) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/01.acm.0000232411.97399.c6 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
General competencies of problem‐based learning (PBL) and non‐PBL graduates
Prince, K. J. A. H., van Eijs, P., Boshuizen, H. P. A., van der Vleuten, C. P. M., & Scherpbier, A. J. J. A. (2005) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2005.02107.x · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Roizen, M. F. (2008) · Yearbook of Anesthesiology and Pain Management · doi:10.1016/s1073-5437(08)70774-5 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Challenges in Systematic Reviews of Educational Intervention Studies
Reed, D. A., Price‐Haywood, E. G., Windish, D. M., Wright, S. M., Gozu, A., Hsu, E. B., Beach, M. C., Kern, D. E., & Bass, E. B. (2005) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-142-12_part_2-200506211-00008 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Jones, A., McArdle, P. J., & O'Neill, P. A. (2002) · Medical Education · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.2002.01105.x · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Long-term Outcomes of the New Pathway Program at Harvard Medical School
Peters, A. S., Greenberger-Rosovsky, R., Crowder, C., Block, S. D., & Moore, G. T. (2000) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-200005000-00018 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
A Snapshot of the Status of Problem-Based Learning in U. S. Medical Schools, 2003???04
Kinkade, S. (2005) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-200503000-00021 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
The continuum of problem-based learning
DAVIS, R. M. H. M. H. (1998) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.1080/01421599880733 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Residency performance of graduates from a problem‐based and a conventional curriculum
Santos-Gomez, L., Kalishman, S. G., Rezler, A. G., SKIPPER, B. J., & Mennin, S. P. (1990) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.1990.tb02453.x · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Tamblyn, R., Abrahamowicz, M., Dauphinee, D., Girard, N., Bartlett, G., Grand'Maison, P., & Brailovsky, C. (2005) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.38636.582546.7c · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Williams, G. P., & Lau, A. M. S. (2004) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7457.92 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Mennin, S. P., Kalishman, S. G., Friedman, M., Pathak, D., & Snyder, J. H. (1996) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-199610000-00015 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Are differences between graduates and undergraduates in a medical course due to age or prior degree?
WILKINSON, T. J., Wells, J. E., & Bushnell, J. (2004) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004.01981.x · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Problem‐based learning: a dissemination success story?
Sanson‐Fisher, R. W., & Lynagh, M. C. (2005) · Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb07032.x · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Educational Theory and Medical Education Practice
Colliver, J. A. (2002) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00001888-200212000-00012 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Problem-based learning: An assessment of its feasibility and cost
Donner, R. S., & Bickley, H. C. (1990) · Human Pathology · doi:10.1016/0046-8177(90)90170-a · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Clinical competence of interns
Rolfe, I. E., Andren, J., Pearson, S., Hensley, M. J., Gordon, J., Atherton, S., Gordon, J., Smith, A. J., Barnsley, L., Hazell, P., et al. (1995) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.1995.tb02835.x · Cited by 60 · see citing works
The effectiveness of PBL: the debate continues. Is meta‐analysis helpful?
Farrow, R., & Norman, G. R. (2003) · Medical Education · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.2003.01725.x · Cited by 47 · see citing works
The implementation of Tomorrow's Doctors
Christopher, D., Harte, K., & George, C. F. (2002) · Medical Education · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.2002.01152.x · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Does melatonin improve sleep?: Efficacy of melatonin
Arendtw, J. (2006) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7540.550 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Educational supervisors' views on the competencies of preregistration house officers
Watmough, S., Taylor, D., Garden, A., & Ryland, I. (2006) · British Journal of Hospital Medicine · doi:10.12968/hmed.2006.67.2.20469 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Tolnai, S. (1991) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.1991.tb00089.x · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Responses to the pilot systematic review of problem‐based learning
Newman, M., den Bossche, P. V., Gijbels, D., McKendree, J., Roberts, T., Rolfe, I., Smucny, J. J., & Virgilio, G. D. (2004) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004.01943.x · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Preregistration house officer skill and competency assessment through questionnaires
Watmough, S., Ryland, I., Taylor, R. D. C., & Garden, A. (2006) · British Journal of Hospital Medicine · doi:10.12968/hmed.2006.67.sup9.22002 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Problem‐based learning: a dissemination success story?
Batey, R. G. (2006) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00137.x · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Unravelling the meaning of global comparative ratings of interns.
Woodward, C. A., McAuley, R. G., & Ridge, H. (1981) · PubMed · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The Effectiveness of Problem Based Learning 1: A Pilot Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Newman, M. J. (2004) · UNSPECIFIED (2004) · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Logical debate on problem based learning
Mellon, A. F., & Mellon, J. (2006) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7540.550-b · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Dochy F, Segers M. Bossche van den P, Gijbels D. Effects of PBL: a meta-analysis. Learning and Instruction 2003;13:533-68.
- Wood DF. ABC of learning and teaching in medicine: problem based learning. BMJ 2003;326:328-30.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Systematic review on the effectiveness of augmented reality applications in medical training
Barsom, E. Z., Graafland, M., & Schijven, M. P. (2016) · Surgical Endoscopy · doi:10.1007/s00464-016-4800-6 · Cited by 672 · see citing works
Trullàs, J. C., Blay, C., Sarri, E., & Pujol, R. (2022) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03154-8 · Cited by 473 · see citing works
Problem-Based Learning and Medical Education Forty Years On
Neville, A. J. (2008) · Medical Principles and Practice · doi:10.1159/000163038 · Cited by 408 · see citing works
Theory to reality: a few issues in implementing problem-based learning
Hung, W. (2011) · Educational Technology Research and Development · doi:10.1007/s11423-011-9198-1 · Cited by 398 · see citing works
Schmidt, H. G., van der Molen, H. T., Winkel, W. T., & Wijnen, W. (2009) · Educational Psychologist · doi:10.1080/00461520903213592 · Cited by 359 · see citing works
Learning styles and approaches to learning among medical undergraduates and postgraduates
Samarakoon, L. B., Fernando, T., Rodrigo, C., & Rajapakse, S. (2013) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-13-42 · Cited by 352 · see citing works
Allen, D. E., Donham, R. S., & Bernhardt, S. A. (2011) · New Directions for Teaching and Learning · doi:10.1002/tl.465 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Not Another Boring Lecture: Engaging Learners with Active Learning Techniques
Wolff, M., Wagner, M. J., Poznanski, S., Schiller, J. H., & Santen, S. A. (2014) · Journal of Emergency Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.09.010 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Kulasegaram, K. M., Martimianakis, M. A., Mylopoulos, M., Whitehead, C. R., & Woods, N. N. (2013) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/acm.0b013e3182a45def · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Nafiah, Y. N., & Suyanto, W. (2014) · Jurnal Pendidikan Vokasi · doi:10.21831/jpv.v4i1.2540 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Boni, R. A. D. S., Paiva, C. E., de Oliveira, M. A., Lucchetti, G., Fregnani, J. H. T. G., & Paiva, B. S. R. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0191746 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Problem-based learning: Where are we now?
Taylor, D. C. M., & Miflin, B. (2008) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.1080/01421590802217199 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Schlett, C. L., Doll, H., Dahmen, J., Polacsek, O., Federkeil, G., Fischer, M. R., Bamberg, F., & Butzlaff, M. E. (2010) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-10-1 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Rehabilitation impact indices and their independent predictors: a systematic review
Koh, G. C., Huijun, C. C., Petrella, R. J., & Thind, A. (2013) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003483 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Self-citationKlegeris, A., & Hurren, H. (2011) · AJP Advances in Physiology Education · doi:10.1152/advan.00046.2011 · Cited by 192 · see citing works
Problem-based learning in pre-clinical medical education: 22 years of outcome research
Hartling, L., Spooner, C., Tjosvold, L., & Oswald, A. (2010) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/01421590903200789 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Illing, J. C., Morrow, G., Kergon, C., Burford, B. C., Baldauf, B., Davies, C., Peile, E., Spencer, J. A., Johnson, N., Allen, M. E., et al. (2013) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-13-34 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Context matters when striving to promote active and lifelong learning in medical education
Berkhout, J. J., Helmich, E., Teunissen, P. W., van der Vleuten, C. P. M., & Jaarsma, D. A. D. C. (2017) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/medu.13463 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
A comparison of problem-based learning and conventional teaching in nursing ethics education
Lin, C., Lu, M., Chung, C., & Yang, C.-M. (2010) · Nursing Ethics · doi:10.1177/0969733009355380 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Loyens, S. M. M., van Meerten, J. E., Schaap, L., & Wijnia, L. (2023) · Educational Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10648-023-09757-x · Cited by 307 · see citing works
PBL and Beyond: Trends in Collaborative Learning
Pluta, W. J., Richards, B. F., & Mutnick, A. (2013) · Teaching and Learning in Medicine · doi:10.1080/10401334.2013.842917 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Bate, E., Hommes, J. E., Duvivier, R. J., & Taylor, D. (2013) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/0142159x.2014.848269 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Slade, S. C., Molloy, E., & Keating, J. L. (2009) · Clinical Rehabilitation · doi:10.1177/0269215508100468 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Medical graduates’ preparedness to practice: a comparison of undergraduate medical school training
Miles, S., Kellett, J. E., & Leinster, S. (2017) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-017-0859-6 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Problem–Based Learning in Dental Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Bassir, S. H., Sadr‐Eshkevari, P., Amirikhorheh, S., & Karimbux, N. Y. (2014) · Journal of Dental Education · doi:10.1002/j.0022-0337.2014.78.1.tb05661.x · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Sayyah, M., Shirbandi, K., Saki-Malehi, A., & Rahim, F. (2017) · Advances in Medical Education and Practice · doi:10.2147/amep.s143694 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Patel, V. L., Yoskowitz, N. A., Arocha, J. F., & Shortliffe, E. H. (2008) · Journal of Biomedical Informatics · doi:10.1016/j.jbi.2008.12.002 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Using team-based learning to prepare medical students for future problem-based learning
Abdelkhalek, N., Hussein, A., Gibbs, T. J., & Hamdy, H. (2010) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/01421590903548539 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Gwee, M. C. (2009) · The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70067-1 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Problem‐based learning in academic health education. A systematic literature review
Polyzois, I., Claffey, N. M., & Mattheos, N. (2010) · European Journal Of Dental Education · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0579.2009.00593.x · Cited by 119 · see citing works
An Overview of Case–Based and Problem–Based Learning Methodologies for Dental Education
Nadershahi, N. A., Bender, D. J., Beck, L., Lyon, C., & Blaseio, A. (2013) · Journal of Dental Education · doi:10.1002/j.0022-0337.2013.77.10.tb05603.x · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Gomes, A. P., & Rêgo, S. (2011) · Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica · doi:10.1590/s0100-55022011000400016 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Preparedness for practice: The perceptions of medical graduates and clinical teams
Morrow, G., Johnson, N., Burford, B. C., Rothwell, C., Spencer, J., Peile, E., Davies, C., Allen, M. E., Baldauf, B., Morrison, J., et al. (2012) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/0142159x.2012.643260 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
What would happen to education if we take education evidence seriously?
van der Vleuten, C. P. M., & Driessen, E. W. (2014) · Perspectives on Medical Education · doi:10.1007/s40037-014-0129-9 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Ahmadi, S., Baradaran, H. R., & Ahmadi, E. (2014) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/0142159x.2014.971724 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Medical education: past, present and future
Norman, G. R. (2012) · Perspectives on Medical Education · doi:10.1007/s40037-012-0002-7 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Hung, W., Dolmans, D. H. J. M., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2019) · Advances in Health Sciences Education · doi:10.1007/s10459-019-09945-x · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Tayyeb, R. (2013) · PubMed · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Problem-Based Learning: Lessons From Medical Education and Challenges for Management Education
Ungaretti, T., Thompson, K. R., Miller, A., & Peterson, T. O. (2014) · Academy of Management Learning and Education · doi:10.5465/amle.2013.0245 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Khoiriyah, U., Roberts, C., Jorm, C. M., & van der Vleuten, C. P. M. (2015) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-015-0422-2 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Promoting Skills for Innovation in Higher Education
Hoidn, S., & Kärkkäinen, K. (2014) · OECD education working papers · doi:10.1787/5k3tsj67l226-en · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Scaffolding for Optimal Challenge in K–12 Problem-Based Learning
Kim, N. J., Belland, B. R., & Axelrod, D. B. (2018) · Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning · doi:10.7771/1541-5015.1712 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Virtual Reality in Higher Education
Fabris, C. P., Rathner, J. A., Fong, A. Y., & Sevigny, C. P. (2019) · International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education · doi:10.30722/ijisme.27.08.006 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Meo, S. A. (2013) · AJP Advances in Physiology Education · doi:10.1152/advan.00031.2013 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
What drives students’ self-directed learning in a hybrid PBL curriculum
Lee, Y., Mann, K. V., & Frank, B. W. (2009) · Advances in Health Sciences Education · doi:10.1007/s10459-009-9210-2 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Evidence-based practice and the ethics of discretion
Gambrill, E. D. (2010) · Journal of Social Work · doi:10.1177/1468017310381306 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Problem-based learning: a review
Bodagh, N., Bloomfield, J., Birch, P., & Ricketts, W. M. (2017) · British Journal of Hospital Medicine · doi:10.12968/hmed.2017.78.11.c167 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Wang, M., Wu, B., Kinshuk, Chen, N., & Spector, J. M. (2013) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2013.05.004 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Back from basics: integration of science and practice in medical education
Bandiera, G. W., Kuper, A., Mylopoulos, M., Whitehead, C. R., Ruetalo, M., Kulasegaram, K. M., & Woods, N. N. (2017) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/medu.13386 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Zhang, Y., Zhou, L., Liu, X., Liu, L., Wu, Y., Zhao, Z., Yi, D., & 易东 (2015) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0120884 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Al-Drees, A. A., Khalil, M. S., Irshad, M., & Abdulghani, H. M. (2015) · Saudi Medical Journal · doi:10.15537/smj.2015.3.10216 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Effect of problem-based learning in pharmacology education: A meta-analysis
Liu, L., Du, X., Zuo, Z., & Zhou, J. (2018) · Studies In Educational Evaluation · doi:10.1016/j.stueduc.2018.11.004 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Gomes, R., Brino, R. D. F., Aquilante, A. G., & de Avó, L. R. D. S. (2009) · Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica · doi:10.1590/s0100-55022009000300014 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Virtual patients: A year of change
Poulton, T., & Balasubramaniam, C. (2011) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/0142159x.2011.613501 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Dysfunctional problem-based learning curricula: resolving the problem
Lim, W. K. (2012) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-12-89 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Moffett, J., Hammond, J., Murphy, P., & Pawlikowska, T. R. B. (2021) · Advances in Health Sciences Education · doi:10.1007/s10459-021-10028-z · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Zahid, M. A., Varghese, R., Mohammed, A. M., & Ayed, A. K. (2016) · International Journal of Medical Education · doi:10.5116/ijme.5749.80f5 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Registered nurses' application of evidence‐based practice: a national survey
Boström, A., Ehrenberg, A., Gustavsson, P. J., & Wallin, L. (2009) · Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2753.2009.01316.x · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Carrió, M., Larramona, P., Baños, J.-E., & Pérez, J. (2011) · Journal of Biological Education · doi:10.1080/00219266.2010.546011 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Student Motivation in Response to Problem-based Learning
Fukuzawa, S., Boyd, C., & Cahn, J. (2017) · Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching · doi:10.22329/celt.v10i0.4748 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Problems of problem-based learning: Towards transformative critical pedagogy in medical education
Cavanagh, A., Vanstone, M. G., & Ritz, S. A. (2019) · Perspectives on Medical Education · doi:10.1007/s40037-018-0489-7 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Scenario training in police academies: developing students’ higher-level thinking skills
Werth, E. P. (2011) · Police Practice and Research · doi:10.1080/15614263.2011.563970 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Hendricson, W. D. (2012) · Journal of Dental Education · doi:10.1002/j.0022-0337.2012.76.1.tb05240.x · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: a mixed methods study
Ilić, D., Hart, W. G., Fiddes, P., Misso, M. L., & Villanueva, E. (2013) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-13-169 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Introducing a problem-based learning program: 12 tips for success
Azer, S. A. (2011) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.3109/0142159x.2011.558137 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Problem-based learning in continuing medical education: review of randomized controlled trials.
Al-Azri, H., & Ratnapalan, S. (2014) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Caesar, M. I. M., Jawawi, R., Matzin, R., Shahrıll, M., Jaidin, J. H., & Mundia, L. (2016) · International Education Studies · doi:10.5539/ies.v9n2p51 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Loyens, S. M. M., Wijnia, L., Duker, I., & Rikers, R. M. J. P. (2020) · Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education · doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.861 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Managing Problem-based Learning: Challenges and Solutions for Educational Practice
Mansor, A. N., Abdullah, N. O., Wahab, J. L. A., Rasul, M. S., Nor, M. Y. M., & Rauf, R. A. A. (2015) · Asian Social Science · doi:10.5539/ass.v11n4p259 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Improved performance of students instructed in a hybrid PBL format
Lian, J., & He, F. (2013) · Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education · doi:10.1002/bmb.20666 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
León, J. S., Winskell, K., McFarland, D. A., & del Rı́o, C. (2015) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2014.302416 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Undergraduate teaching and learning in physical geography
Day, T. (2012) · Progress in Physical Geography Earth and Environment · doi:10.1177/0309133312442521 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Medical Student Perspectives of Active Learning: A Focus Group Study
Walling, A. D., Istas, K., Bonaminio, G. A., Paolo, A. M., Fontes, J. D., Davis, N., & Berardo, B. A. (2016) · Teaching and Learning in Medicine · doi:10.1080/10401334.2016.1247708 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
How to Practice Academic Medicine and Publish from Developing Countries?
Nundy, S., Kakar, A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-16-5248-6 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Development of knowledge in basic sciences: a comparison of two medical curricula
Nouns, Z. M., Schauber, S. K., Witt, C. M., Kingreen, H., & Schüttpelz‐Brauns, K. (2012) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/medu.12047 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Problem based learning in chronic disease management: A review of the research
Williams, B., & Pace, A. E. (2009) · Patient Education and Counseling · doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.03.004 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Golightly, A. (2018) · Journal of Geography in Higher Education · doi:10.1080/03098265.2018.1463974 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Is problem‐based learning an ideal format for developing ethical decision skills?
Harasym, P. H., Tsai, T., & Munshi, F. M. (2013) · The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.kjms.2013.05.005 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Wang, M., Yuan, B., Kirschner, P. A., Kushniruk, A. W., & Peng, J. (2018) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2018.01.025 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Devine, O., Harborne, A. C., Horsfall, H. L., Joseph, T., Marshall-Andon, T., Samuels, R., Kearsley, J. W., Abbas, N., Baig, H., Beecham, J., et al. (2020) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01571-4 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
The lecture-free curriculum: Setting the stage for life-long learning: AMEE Guide No. 135
Parmelee, D. X., Roman, B. J. B., Overman, I., & Alizadeh, M. (2020) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.1080/0142159x.2020.1789083 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Wang, A., Xiao, R., Zhang, C., Yuan, L., Lin, N., Yan, L., Wang, Y., Yu, J., Huang, Q., Gan, P., et al. (2022) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03538-w · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Active learning on the ward: outcomes from a comparative trial with traditional methods
Prado, H. M., Neto, G. H. F., Falbo, A. R., & Figueirôa, J. N. (2011) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03846.x · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-Directed Learning for the 21st Century: Implications for Higher Education
Bergamin, P. B., Bosch, C., Toit, A. D., Goede, R., Golightly, A., Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T., Kruger, C., Laubscher, D. J., Lubbe, A., et al. (2019) · NWU self-directed learning series · doi:10.4102/aosis.2019.bk134 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Liu, Y., Xu, Y., Li, Y., & Wu, Q. (2020) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.8353 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Watmough, S. D., O’Sullivan, H., & Taylor, D. (2010) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/1472-6920-10-65 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Problem-based learning makes a difference. But why?
Norman, G. (2007) · Canadian Medical Association Journal · doi:10.1503/cmaj.071590 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Bestetti, R. B., Couto, L. B., Romão, G. S., Araújo, G. T., & Restini, C. B. A. (2014) · Medical Education Online · doi:10.3402/meo.v19.24366 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Short‐Term Outcomes Of A Near‐Full PBL Curriculum In A New Taiwan Medical School
Tsou, K., Cho, S., Lin, C., Sy, L. B., Yang, L., Chou, T., & Chiang, H. (2009) · The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70075-0 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Ge, W., Zhu, X.-Y., Lin, J., Jiang, J., Li, T., Lu, Y., Mi, Y., & Tung, T. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-06951-z · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Muthaura, P. N., Khamis, T., Ahmed, M., & Hussain, S. R. (2015) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-015-0463-6 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Khan, F. A., Chikkatagaiah, S., Shafiullah, M., Nasiri, M., Saraf, A., Sehgal, T., Rana, A., Tadros, G., & Kingston, P. (2014) · Journal of International Migration and Integration / Revue de l integration et de la migration internationale · doi:10.1007/s12134-014-0368-y · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Creation and Assessment of an Active e-Learning Introductory Geology Course
Sit, S. M., & Brudzinski, M. R. (2017) · Journal of Science Education and Technology · doi:10.1007/s10956-017-9703-3 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Norman, G. R., Wenghofer, E., & Klass, D. (2008) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03131.x · Cited by 40 · see citing works
von Zadow, U., Buron, S., Harms, T., Behringer, F., Sostmann, K., & Dachselt, R. (2013) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/2470654.2466196 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Problem Based Learning in physiotherapy education: a practice perspective
Gunn, H., Hunter, H., & Haas, B. M. (2011) · Physiotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.physio.2011.05.005 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Dysphagia Rehabilitation: Similarities and Differences in Three Areas of the World
González‐Fernández, M., Huckabee, M., Doeltgen, S., Inamoto, Y., Kagaya, H., & Saitoh, E. (2013) · Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports · doi:10.1007/s40141-013-0035-9 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Effects of additional team-based learning on students’ clinical reasoning skills: a pilot study
Jost, M., Brüstle, P., Giesler, M., Rijntjes, M., & Brich, J. (2017) · BMC Research Notes · doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2614-9 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Schattner, A. (2009) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2009.103 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Schauber, S. K., Hecht, M., Nouns, Z. M., Kuhlmey, A., & Dettmer, S. (2015) · Advances in Health Sciences Education · doi:10.1007/s10459-015-9584-2 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
- Authors
- Koh, G. C.-H., Khoo, H. E., Wong, M. L., & Koh, D.
- Affiliations
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- Venue
- Canadian Medical Association Journal
- Publisher
- CMA Joule Inc.
- Published
- 2008-01-01
- Volume
- 178
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 34-41
- ISSN
- 0820-3946 (ISSN-L)
- 1488-2329
- PMC
- PMC2151117
- OpenAlex
- W2145936815
- Cited by
- 659
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 49 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 62 · 2013: 47 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 21.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Canadian Medical Association Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- National University of Singapore (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National University of Singapore
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Problem and Project Based Learning
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biomedical and Engineering Education
- Keywords
- problem-based learning, medical education, physician competence, medical graduates, competency assessment, communication skills, coping with uncertainty, self-directed learning
- MeSH terms
- Clinical Competence, Curriculum, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Humans, Schools, Medical, Problem-Based Learning
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
