Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, and Satisfaction Among First-Year Medical Students in Ghana

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at the University for Development Studies in Ghana has focused on the impact of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) on critical thinking, communication skills, and satisfaction levels among novice medical students. The study aimed to address the limited evidence from low-resource settings on the effectiveness of PBL in medical education. The research will provide context-specific insights on the effectiveness of PBL in enhancing key competencies among first-year medical students, informing curriculum development, tutor training, and educational policy in Ghana and similar settings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aims to assess the impact of PBL on critical thinking, communication skills, and satisfaction levels among first-year medical students in Ghana.
  • The study will involve a longitudinal pre-test-post-test design, with 5-point Likert scale used to measure student satisfaction after eight months of exposure to PBL.
  • The research will use statistical analyses, including paired t-tests, ANOVA, and regression, to assess changes through mean scores.
  • The study seeks to inform curriculum development, tutor training, and educational policy in Ghana and similar settings.
  • The research has implications for improving medical education in low-resource settings.
  • The study will measure the impact of PBL on critical thinking, communication skills, and satisfaction among first-year medical students.

Statistics:

  • The study will be conducted at the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine, Tamale, Ghana.
  • The study will involve first-year students who meet the eligibility criteria, with a 5-point Likert scale used to measure student satisfaction after eight months of exposure to PBL.
  • Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS v26.0 to assess changes through mean scores.
  • The study will provide context-specific insights on the effectiveness of PBL in enhancing key competencies among first-year medical students.

Sources:

- Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, and Satisfaction Among First-Year Medical Students in Ghana: A study protocol [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. MedEdPublish, 2025,15.

- (MedEdPublish - https://www.mededpublish.org/home)

- (F1000 Research Ltd.)

- (https://doi.org/10.12688/mep.21103.2)