CASE BASED LEARNING IN MICROBIOLOGY AMONG INDIAN MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Microbiology is a highly volatile subject dealing with microbes and infectious diseases. The
conventional method of teaching being not the satisfactory, henceforth Case Based Learning,
an innovative interactive teaching learning methodology used as a teaching tool for better
retention and also promote high order analytical skill in the learners by correlating the
basic sciences with clinical case scenarios. This also improved the performance of the
learners andenhanced the problem-solving skills with deeper conceptual understanding of
the subject. The cross- sectional study conducted in the department of Microbiology for
Phase II MBBS students to evaluate and assess the improvement of performance and
problem-solving skills of the students after implementation of CBL module. The paper cases
were used as CBL module for the selected topics with relevant clinical history and case
findings. Pre and post-test conducted to assess the performance and module was evaluated
by using feedback questionnaire with Likert scale and faculty was also interviewed
regarding its implementation. Paired t- test was used to compare the pre and post test scores
after the implementation of CBL module and p- value obtained was less than 0.0001 which
was statistically highly significant. The results of the present study were correlating with the
previous studies. It has been concluded from the present study that CBL helped in the better
retention of the subject and also helped the learner in deeper conceptual understanding of the
subject. It alsoenhanced the problem-solving skills in the learners by clinical context so this
methodology should be adopted in the teaching curriculum benefitting the undergraduates.