Abstract
ABSTRACT

Objective
To compare lecture based learning with problem based learning (PBL) and to identify the deficiencies in both teaching methodologies.
Methods
A cross sectional comparative study was carried out among 198 students studying in 2nd year and 3rd year of MBBS in Rawalpindi Medical College as the students of these two classes had been taught both by lectures and PBL sessions. They were enrolled by convenience sampling. The study was performed for a period of two months from January 2010 to February 2010. Data was collected by means of structured questionnaire.
Results
Of the total 198 students, 53% were girls while 47% students were boys. 34.8% and 65.2% respondents were students of 2nd year and 3rd year MBBS respectively and majority of those (55.06%) were hostelites. 40.92% liked only PBL followed by both Lecture Based Learning (LBL) and PBL (36.36%). 41.91% students claimed that PBL has lead to better understanding of subject while 35.34% respondents favored both LBL and PBL. 93% respondents admitted that PBL has lead to more clarification of their concepts while 32.82% students appreciated both LBL and PBL. Coverage of sufficient syllabus through PBL and both (LBL & PBL) was claimed by 52.54% and 65.67% students respectively. Majority (52.02%) was satisfied with training of lectures for traditional teaching while 52.52% were dissatisfied with training of facilitators for PBL. 44.95% were satisfied with availability of resources for PBL while 55.58% respondents preferred present scenario (LBL parallel with PBL).
Conclusion
Lecture Based Learning must go parallel with Problem Based Learning for better analytical approach and clarification of concepts among medical students. There is need to improve the information resources for PBL. (Rawal Med J 2010;35:249-253).
Key words
Problem based learning, learning, assesment.

INTRODUCTION
PBL was started in 1969 by Barrows and Tamblyn at Mc Master University, Canada for undergraduate medical students. Later the system was adopted by Europe, USA and rest of the world.1 A study carried out among 1st year students at Nelson Mandela school of Medicine showed that majority of the students benefited from input of other students in PBL tutorials as they were conducted in small groups.2 Contrary to this study, a study from Kuwait University revealed that introduction of new teaching methodologies may evoke certain factors that lead students to develop adverse perception of their educational environment3.
Another study showed that knowledge and power of interpretation was quite improved among students on reaching the 3rd year but their interest in the process of PBL conduction was lost and they developed short cuts to solve the problem.4 It has been reported that instead of didactic communication in lecture hall, active participation of students in PBL had a bigger role to play in continuing medical education.1 The current study was aimed to compare the perception of MBBS

Key words: Problem based learning, learning, assesment.