Perception of dental students regarding digital problem-based learning in Oral Medicine

Abstract

Suwarna Dangore-Khasbage, Rahul R. Bhowate,Shirish S. Degwekar, Adarshlata Singh, Vidya K. Lohe

Objective: To assess the perception of dental students regarding digital problem-based learning (PBL) in Oral Medicine. Methodology: This educational research study is comprised of ninety-six dental students, which were randomly divided into two equal groups (A and B). Both the groups were subdivided into six groups each (Eight students in each small group). Group A was studied via cases presented in paper-form, and the Group B was studied via digital form cases. Both the groups were given the same simulated patient scenarios designed not to convey a definite diagnosis, but to present a complex situation and to elicit sequencing problems. A pretest and post-test questionnaires comprised of ten questions in each test were used to record the perception of students. Results were statistically analyzed. Results: In Group A, the difference in mean scores between pre and post-test is observed to be statistically significant for only four questions, whereas, in Group B, it was significant for nine questions. Students in the digital groups exhibited better performance in answering the post-test questionnaire. 94% (n = 90) students agreed that digital PBL is better because they are getting accurate idea of something. Conclusions: Digital media can be used as an innovative and effective tool for learning clinical cases in Oral Medicine