Motivating First year medical students to learn biochemistry by Case based learning.

Abstract

Objectives: Innovative curriculum with case based learning is proven to improve the academic performance of biochemistry in medical students. Thus it was of interest to see if students get motivated and understand the concepts of biochemistry better by CBL. Materials and Methods: First year MBBS students (n=210) were divided into 2 groups. Biochemistry was reinforced to Group 1(Roll numbers 1-100, control) by regular teaching, and group 2 (Roll numbers 101-210, test) was exposed to CBL. Assessment was done by administering six case based questions. Feedback was obtained on a five point Likert scale about perception on CBL. Results: Group 2 performed better in four questions than group 1 and showed similar performance in 1 question. 81.69 % agreed CBL motivated to learn Biochemistry, 79.07% agreed CBL helped understand the subject better, 79.07% stated CBL promoted meaningful learning, 75.15% agreed CBL helped in development of critical thinking, 88.23% said biochemistry is useful in diagnosis and care, 79.73% suggested CBL should be implemented to all topics of biochemistry, 78.42% voted interactive review sessions involving CBL would be more effective. Conclusion: Reinforcing biochemistry by CBL motivates, promotes meaningful learning, helps development of critical thinking and assured first year medical students that biochemistry is helpful in patient diagnosis and care.