Perception and attitude of second-year medical and dental students at Gandaki Medical College regarding the use of a problem-based learning approach in basic medical sciences

Abstract Background Problem-based learning (PBL) is a learner-centered pedagogical approach in which a person learns about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem. The objective of the present study was to assess students' perceptions and attitudes toward PBL and the role of tutors in PBL.Methods This quantitative study was conducted among second-year medical and dental undergraduate students from November 2022 to November 2023. The students were divided into eight groups, and each group was facilitated by tutors. A PBL tutor guide, with a case on the topic of diarrhea/dysentery, was designed as a module with six triggers and given to the groups. At the end of nine days of PBL sessions, feedback from students on the process of PBL and tutors was received using the 'Dolmans and Schmidt' and 'Dolmans and Ginns' questionnaires, respectively. The level of attitude of the students based on their feedback toward the PBL process and the tutors were also assessed. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel, and descriptive analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21.Results Among the 79 responses received, 72 (92.4%) students gave a good rating of the process of PBL, indicating a favorable attitude. The participants agreed with the themes based on the influence of discussion, content tested, course objectives, lectures, tutors, and reference literature. Similarly, 63 (81%) students gave a good rating of the tutorials’ performance, suggesting a favorable attitude. They agreed that tutors facilitated active, self-directed, contextual, and collaborative learning.Conclusions This study revealed the positive perceptions and attitudes of medical and dental undergraduate students regarding the PBL process and the role of tutors in PBL. The outcomes of this study have provided a foundation for implementing PBL in Nepal's medical and dental undergraduate curricula.