Combining the problem-based learning and standardized patients in the clinical practice and examination for the students of obstetric and gynecology

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of combining the problem-based learning and standardized patients in the clinical practice of obstetric and gynecology.Methods We have established the problem-based learning for 144 students of obstetric and gynecology in grade 2004.The tutors acted as the standardized patient and raised the clinical problems during the practical courses,and the students discussed.The recruited standardized patients were applied on the final examination.Some problems were investigated andthe examining result was contrasted.The 100 studentsinthe same grade by traditional teaching method as control groups.Results The teaching method which combining the problem-based learning and standardized patients could improve the clinical skill of the medical students,help them to diagnose and treat the familiar disorders in the field of obstetric and gynecology.Compare to the control groups,the examinational score increased significantly.Conclusions The combined teaching model was effective to improve the teaching quality in the clinical practice for the students of obstetric and gynecology. Key words: Problem-based learning; Standardized patients; Gynecology and obstetrics; Clinical practice