Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
Problem based learning and the case method--medical students change preferences during clerkship
Martin Stjernquist1, Elizabeth Crang-Svalenius
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. martin.stjernquist@med.lu.se
Background:
The Case Method (Case) and Problem Based Learning (PBL) are two student active methods, increasingly used in medical education.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to compare medical student satisfaction with the two different active methods of learning and to see if there was any variation in preference between two stages in medical training.
Methods:
A short questionnaire was given out to 254 students during the eighth and eleventh term of medical training. Answers were obtained from 221 students. The results were computer analysed.
Results:
Students in the eighth term rated both methods high, while students in the eleventh term rated Case even higher while PBL decreased in popularity. Traditional lectures were given constant neutral rating. Case was rated better for problem solving.
Conclusions:
It seems that Case is more suitable than PBL for the later stages of medical training when clinical problem-solving skills need to be honed.
Related Concept Videos
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
Methods of Documentation III: PIE
Case Studies
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Methods of Documentation II: POMR
Patient-centered Care