Attitudes and perceptions of students and teachers about problem based learning in the radiography curriculum at Makerere University, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction The College of Health Sciences, Makerere University has been training health professionals since 1924 using a lecture based curriculum. After a curriculum review, the curriculum was changed to Problem Based Learning (PBL)/Community Based Education and Service (PBL/COBES) for all undergraduate programmes of which radiography is part. This study was carried out to find the attitudes and perceptions of students and faculty about PBL in the radiography curriculum. Objective To find out the attitudes and perceptions of students and teachers about PBL in the radiography curriculum. Methods The study was conducted at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which self-administered questionnaires were used and focus group discussions conducted with both radiography students and faculty. Results All the students and 80% of teachers rated PBL highly as a good instructional method. 100% of the students and 100% of the teachers reported that PBL is a gateway to the acquisition of key generic skills like team work, problem-solving and self-directed learning. In adequate learning resources as well as student assessment in PBL were noted as the major challenges. Conclusion Both students and teachers affirmed that PBL is an excellent method of training radiographers. There is need however to avail students with adequate learning resources in order to sustain the programme.