Knowledge and attitude of faculty members on problem based learning.

An intervention study was carried out in Mymensingh Medical College during the second week of January, 2003 to compare knowledge and attitude of the faculty members of Mymensingh Medical College on PBL before and after exposure to a symposium. Pretest was done among 48 faculty members before and 45 faculty members after exposure to the symposium using a self-administered questionnaire. Before the symposium about 17% of faculty members had a sound knowledge on PBL, the figure rose significantly to about 61% after exposure to the symposium (P < 0.001). About 73 % of faculty members felt that PBL is effective in problem solving after exposure to the symposium, as compared to about 60% who felt that PBL is effective in problem solving before the symposium (P < 0.01). About 69% of faculty members stated that PBL is better than traditional ward teaching after exposure to the symposium, as compared to 51.1% who stated that PBL is better than traditional ward teaching before the symposium (P < 0.001). About 69% of faculty members stated that PBL enhances self-directed learning after exposure to the symposium, as compared to about 52% who stated PBL enhances self-directed learning before the symposium(P <0.005). About 64% of faculty members affirmed that they will welcome PBL in clinical teaching after exposure to the symposium, as compared to 62.5% of faculty members who would welcome PBL in clinical teaching before the symposium (P < 0.01). A total of 59% of faculty members asserted that they will recommend PBL to be included in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum after exposure to the symposium, as compared to 60.3% who would recommend PBL in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum before the symposium. About 51 % of faculty members agreed that practicing PBL will help students after graduation to continue independent learning before the symposium, as compared to 60% who agreed that practicing PBL will help students after graduation after exposure to the symposium (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that exposure to a symposium centered on PBL can improve knowledge and attitude of faculty members on PBL positively & significantly.